Crime and Punishment, Fiction and Real Life

Money talks, huh? Especially when it's other people's.

Every time I see that crook Madoff on TV - he who swindled millions - like old people and charities - and tried to mail $millions in jewelry to family and friends - it gives me an idea of why such seemingly awful punishments once flourished.

The first thing that comes to mind as I see his smirking face, trying to duck TV crews, is tarring and feathering.

I used to think, how barbaric. It is an awful punishment, but now I understand. How do you punish one of the worst thieves in society who sneers at everyone else from his penthouse jail? (Justice? An ankle monitor? What was wrong with that judge?)

With the wide range of hurt and financial devastation this man caused by his own greed and lust, you can see the anger simmering. No, I didn't have anything invested and yes, vigilantism is wrong. Hopefully the courts do better at sentencing than this judge who thought a penthouse a fitting jail cell before the trial.

Does this relate to writing? Yes. Most fiction stems from real life. Seeing a real life incident play out, you can easily imagine the feelings that go with such an act. You can see how one crime can initiate others. You can feel empathy with the victims. You can put a fictional face on the suffering. It can inspire a host of other stories and plots.

** What do you think? What real life crimes or incidents have inspired your writing?

Writing and Non-Payment - What would you do?

Many publishers, like other businesses, are facing financial difficulties. I came across an interesting situation that I thought was worth some discussion.

The dilemma: what would you do if a magazine published your story and then said they had no money to pay you?

This happened to one writer, as described in a letter published in a recent Funds for Writers newsletter. The company, which publishes several children's magazines, shall remain nameless.

The writer was told after her story was published that the magazine was having some financial problems and had no money to pay her. Would you accept that?

My take: sorry, but the publisher is a business. If they chose to publish a writer's work, that writer should expect to be paid as the guidelines state and not have the editors suddenly say, gee, sorry, we can't pay you.

The editors likely knew the financial situation before they chose to publish the writer's work. Ethically, the editors could have been honest and told the writer upfront, giving her the option to pull her work or let it be printed gratis. They didn't do that. But even if they didn't know about the budget problems until later, unless the publisher is legally bankrupt, the writer is still owed.

Angela Hoy with Booklocker.com also recently addressed this same issue of nonpayment in one of her newsletters. Her point was that you can be sure other staff and bills were getting paid. I'd ask the editor if he/she got a check that week. (You bet they did). Did the printer and other vendors get paid? Were the lights and cable still on?

Writers shouldn't let themselves get pushed to the bottom of the pack. If a publisher is still doing business, they are paying their bills (or at least some of them).

Unless writers choose to write for free, they should be paid for their work, just like anyone else. And they should keep asking - via emails, certified letters, etc. - until they get that check.

** What do you think?

Writing Tip 13: Exercise, says Clea Simon

My guest author today is the real "cat's meow."

Clea Simon, author of the four-book "cat-centric" mystery series featuring freelance writer Theda Krakow, likens writing to exercise. Use it or lose it, right?

Writing Tip 13: Write every day, Monday through Friday

Simon says, "the ability to write is like building a muscle. The more you exercise it, the easier it will become.

"Set a goal for the day – 500, 1,000 words, two pages, three, or five – and make yourself do that every workday, five days a week, even when you have other things due. Do it even when your day job goes into overtime.

"Some days you'll have absolutely no ideas and you'll end up trying to come up with a space-filler scene in which your protagonist eats donuts and watches TV. But some days you'll have something to write – and you'll have the discipline to do it.

"If you keep at it regularly, you will cobble together enough raw text to make a first draft. And that's when the fun starts."

** How much "writing exercise" do you do each week?

-- Clea Simon is the author of CRIES AND WHISPERS, and the upcoming PROBABLE CLAWS (Poisoned Pen Press, April '09).

In PROBABLE CLAWS, the fourth Theda Krakow mystery, cats start getting sick and feline-loving freelance writer Theda Krakow suspects an accident is to blame. But her shelter-owning buddy says the kibble was poisoned.

When Theda starts looking at shelter politics, she finds a litter of suspects. Now she must find the real killer before she, and Musetta, become the next victims.

* Previous: Writing Tip 12: What Inspires You?

Writing Tip 12: What Inspires you?

For a change of pace, I'm going to open the floor today strictly to other writers to share their thoughts on writing. Some possible questions:

* What makes you write?

* What keeps you writing?

* How do you decide what story to tell?

* Share your best writing memory.

* What was your "other" profession before you turned to writing? Or what is your other job now?

* Advice to young writers. Where did you start?

* What happened when you finally "got" it; what was it that made you think you finally had crossed a plateau in your work?

* What are your writing habits?

Writing Tip 11: Presidential Prose

Writing in Top (Presidential) Form a la Barack Obama

Being a native Chicagoan, I have a special interest in President-elect Barack Obama.

As the President-elect prepares for his Jan. 20th Inauguration, it seemed fitting to include some tips on writing in top form, a la writing presidential prose.

1. Be prepared to lead. No one is born ready to be president. There is a lot of briefing, training, and discussions going on behind the scenes. The same goes for writing. Some writers may be born, others are made. Writing a book or short stories means putting in the time to learn your craft. Don't short-change yourself. Take online or other courses. Continually invest in your skills and keep them in good working order by writing daily.

2. Be ready to make mistakes. Even the President-elect has to learn along the way. He may stumble a little, he might even make some mistakes, but there is no room in the job for unsureness or self-reproach. He will continue to move forward.

So should writers. There will be stories you look at later that you know could've been improved or where maybe you made a mistake. It can happen. Don't let it rattle your self-confidence. Move on to the next story.

Each day, each month, each year you continue to write, you will see your work evolve and improve. Be proud of your accomplishments. Make new goals and meet them.

3. Put in the grunt work. Beyond the glitter of the Inaugural balls and the prestige of meeting with other world leaders, are a lot of days filled with the ho-hum, reading papers, writing reports, having meetings. It's all part of the job. Writers have those days, too. See next tip.

4. Meet the day in anticipation. Leading, and writing, are work. Some days, the President will probably wish he could stay in bed. There are days when writers groan and wish they didn't have to write.

To keep your writing fresh:

* Try out different styles and markets. Challenge yourself.

* Study your rejections. See what you could have done better and then do it.

* Study the work of other authors. See how they end or begin their stories. Try their approach, but make it your own.

5. Enjoy yourself. Even the President has to unwind and have some fun. Barack Obama likes to play basketball and enjoys spending time with his family. Don't neglect your own down-time. Sometimes you have to step back from the work and relax. Read a book for fun, without analyzing it. Play a game with the kids. Spend time with a hobby. You'll come back to your work refreshed and renewed.

As a writer, usually once the words get flowing, the writing becomes less work and more fun.

To keep the flow going:
* Make an outline or some kind of chart so you know where your story goes next.

* Stop where you can restart. When you stop for the day, always try to leave your writing at a point where you can jump in and continue without having to brainstorm a new section and maybe stall your progress.

-- Christine Verstraete is author of SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT, A MINIATURE ART MYSTERY, where bffs Sam and Lita, along with a nosy, mischievous Dachshund named Petey, face a cranky housekeeper, dog-hating gardener, and an ancient family curse as they search for the lost miniature replica of Van Gogh's famous painting, Starry Night. Will they find it in time?

** Did you vote? Searching For A Starry Night is part of the annual Preditors-Editors readers poll ending Jan. 14.

I'd appreciate your votes for: Best Book art/cover and Best Mystery.(click corrected links so right one shows up)

Favorite Writing and Miniature Posts: 2007-08 Review

I thought I would recap a few of my favorite posts from the past two years I've been blogging. Posts include short stories, miniatures and writing. Enjoy!

2007
Suspense short story, featuring Dachshund Sophie by Tim Wohlforth, Part 1

Suspense short story, Sophie by Tim Wohlforth, Part 2

2008
Miniature of Van Gogh's Starry Night, inspired by my mystery, Searching For A Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery

Vincent Van Gogh in miniature

Miniature of the Month: The Vet's Office

August Daily Writing blog: The 7 Deadly (Writing) Sins

Art come to Life in Miniature

Halloween witches in Miniature

Writing tips and markets for kids and teens

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature, An Illustrated Christmas story: The Thief of Christmas Present, by Robert W. Walker, Part 1.

Writing Tip 10: Make a Timeline, says LJ Sellers

Every author has their own way of working.

Some outline; some don't.

Some prefer note or index cards. I like to make a grid on a sheet with 5 boxes across and 4 down, where I can see major points per chapter at a glance.

LJ Sellers, author of the Detective Jackson mystery series, THE SEX CLUB (Spellbinder Press) and the upcoming SECRETS TO DIE FOR, says she likes to create a timeline to keep her work in progress in order

Writing Tip 10: Make a Timeline

Sellers says, "for every mystery/suspense story, I create a timeline of significant events, including day and hour.

"I draft it when I write the outline, then update it and fill it in as I write the novel.

"The timeline:

* helps me pace the story;

* helps me coordinate simultaneous events;

* keeps me from writing too many events into one day;

* saves me the embarrassment of having characters refer to events that
haven't happened yet."

--- THE SEX CLUB by LJ Sellers: When a bomb explodes at a birth control clinic and a young client turns up dead, Detective Jackson is assigned both cases. Could they be connected?

Kera, the nurse who discovers the girl’s Bible group is really a sexual free-for-all, thinks they are. But can Jackson uncover the killer’s identity in time to stop the slaughter?

Eye Candy: Miniature Chocolates Part 2

Chocolate Dreams

My friend Kitty has been busy as a little bee making more chocolates.


This is one of those projects you can't help but look at again and again. One way to cure chocolate cravings?

She made all the chocolates and cakes from polymer clay. Look good enough to eat!

(See part 1 of the Chocolate Shoppe here.)

The fantastic furniture kits are from Lisa's Little Things, an addiction for sure!

New Blog Award!

-- Thanks to my publisher Karen Syed for giving me this new Premios Dardo Best Blog Award. Gee, ain't it pretty?


The rules:
1) Accept the award by posting it on your blog along with the name of the person that has granted the award and a link to his/her blog.

2) Pass the award to another 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgement, remembering to contact each of them to let them know they have been selected for this award.

I would like to present this award to the following sites in appreciation for all the effort, knowledge, and encouragement they offer to their readers.

The blogs I named were picked because they are informative, inspiring, funny, fun, or just plain enjoyable. Not all are writers, but I think others will enjoy the artists I've chosen who happen to work in miniature, or who inspire readers with their ideas. Here's what I picked:

Blogs (and their writers) of Note:

* Terrie Farley Moran, Women of Mystery

* Camille Minichino, Killer Hobbies

* Katie, Katie's Clay corner

* Kim, It's a Miniature Life

* Gayle Trent, Fatal Foodies

* Marsha Mees, Sassy Mini Dolls

* Dani, Blog Book Tours

* Daisy, Daisy Pink Cupcake

* Rachel, Miniature Cakes

Dachshunds on Parade, Dogs having Fun

I couldn't resist dressing up Petey the Dachshund from Searching For A Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery, for New Year's. (Looks like he had more fun than I did. All I've done is cough for two weeks).

Dogs like to have fun. You can tell. Take a look at these Dachshunds at a parade in Florida and tell me they're not having fun!

Now imagine gathering more than 100 Dachshunds in one place. See Dachshund pic 2.

Of course, the real news in the past week was the dog thief!

No, not someone stealing dogs. If you didn't see this video on TV, then take a look. It's not every day that you see a German Shepherd come in to a store and help himself!

Maybe no one got him what he wanted for Christmas so he took matters into his own paws!

It makes you wonder, though... did he live nearby? He must've been in the store before as he knew just where to go. Was he coached? Did someone drop him off and pick him up outside? This might be the best (and funniest!) mystery of 2008!


** What do you think? How did the canine crook get away with it?