The Cozy Chicks | Cozy Up To Some Killer Books

Doing the Write Thing

Well, I know a few of you out there are interested in writing your own stories and novels — we’ve occasionally talked about that — and I’d be interested in hearing where all of you are with that. Have you made progress?

One reason I ask, is I thought it might be useful to do some kind of monthly writing blog here, if there was any particular interest in it. This isn’t totally altruistic, because I find myself today unable to think of a compelling blog topic. I mean, there’s only so many goofy quizzes any of us can take, right?

So…show of hands. Would anyone out there be interested in me taking one blog a month and devoting it to some element of writing? It could be anything from an entire post devoted to a subject like Plotting or Characterization, or it could be simply taking writing questions. I’m open.

And if there’s no interest in that, that’s okay too. I’m always happy to ramble on about whatever catches my fancy be it my unnatural love of Perry Mason reruns or my thoughts on my favorite gothic romances.

And since we have to amuse ourselves somehow today, I thought it would be fun to do a totally insane writing exercise. This is how it works. I write a couple of sentences, and then the first person to hit the blog writes the next couple of sentences, and then the next person after that picks up where the previous person left off…and pretty soon we’ve got something going that resembles a literary game of Crack the Whip — and good luck to the person who hits the blog last.

So…no cheating. If you’ve read this post, you have to add your two or three sentences worth. You can make up a name if you like, and your email won’t show anyway.

Okay…

“Professor Wingate?”

Deputy Sheriff Lia Nichols gently pushed wide the open door, her eyes straining to see through the gloom. Something in the silence prickled the hair on the back of her neck, and she reached for her revolver, easing it from the holster on her hip.

From inside the house came the slow, silvery chime of a grandfather clock tolling half-ten.

Nothing moved in the darkness.

“Professor?” Lia’s voice seemed to echo in the empty room. “It’s the Sheriff’s Department, sir.”

18 Responses to “Doing the Write Thing”

Lia eased farther into the room, eyes scanning all corners of the room. Nothing seemed out of place or disturbed in any way.

by Becky on January 23rd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
By the way, Diana, I for one would love for you to devote one post per month to writing (elements, technique, etc.)

by Becky on January 23rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Dear Diana,

I would love it if you would devote a regular blog featuring the craft of writing mysteries.

My contribution to the story:

The 911 call that had brought her to the house had been peculiar, accompanied with muffled grunts but no information. Now Lia smelled a strange odor in the darkness.

“Professor Wingate? Are you there?”

With her left hand, Lia felt for the wall switch. The room was, indeed, empty … except for that queer odor!

by A. J. Cronin on January 23rd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
What was that? Smoke? Not exactly. Not woodsmoke anyway. She glanced at the fireplace. Behind the screen the grate was empty, the ashes cold and gray. Sulfur? Hmm. Brimstone?

She bit back a wry grin. Professor Wingate’s hobbies were well known in this town. The creak of a floorboard overhead wiped the smile from Lia’s face.

by Diana on January 23rd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I love it! You guys are great!

by Diana on January 23rd, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Something fluttered by and Lia jumped, aiming her weapon at it, almost calling for it to halt before she realized it was nothing more than a sheet of slightly singed paper, loosed in a draft.

Except there was no breeze, either indoors or out. In fact, you could say both the house and town were infernally hot. Above her, something shifted again and Lia backed up, trying to catch a glimpse up the stairs while remaining hidden from view.

—

I am always up for blog posts on writing!

by Laura on January 23rd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Lia reached down and picked up the paper. It was Professor Wingate’s will from what she could read at a quick glance. Why was his will burned at the edges? And where was the old guy? Lia moved toward the stairs, her weapon in front of her.

Diana - Yes, please a blog about writing. I’d love it.

by Lynn on January 23rd, 2008 at 7:46 pm
She edged her way silently up the stairs. She heard a creak but it wasn’t her. The smell wafted through the air again. No breeze. the hair stood up on the back of Lia’s neck. She remembered the last time she’d been in this situation.

by kathy on January 23rd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Hi Diana,

A post about writing sounds good to me. I know I’d enjoy it. My writing is at a stand-still again. I decided to try to do something different recently…won’t go into the details, but it has to do with my Sims Online character. It started out good, but now things seem to be getting repetitive.

And I know how it is to run out of things to say…I haven’t posted a blog on My Space in ages. Sure I have things to say, but I’m not sure who would want to read them. My life isn’t that interesting and I’m sure what is interesting to me probably isn’t interesting to everyone else. I mean, really…who wants to hear about my problems or my thoughts on my favorite soaps, music, etc.? But I guess the point of blogs is to express whatever thoughts you have, so might as well start doing it again, huh?

by Traci on January 24th, 2008 at 1:54 am
A writing blog is a great idea. Pamela

by Pamela on January 24th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Oooooh, what fun! Okay, let’s see……

Lia froze. Something heavy moved behind her, from the direction of the kitchen. Something, or someone, very heavy indeed. Slowly, she flattened herself against the wall and, gun at the ready, turned her head.

by ellephelps on January 24th, 2008 at 10:21 am
“May I help you Madam?”
The rotund figure wore long sleeves rolled up past the elbows and wiped his hands on a cotton dishtowel. “I believe you’ve broken some laws for entering without a writ.”

A total newbie to the site here, but anything writing related is always welcome!
Kim

by Kim Smith on January 24th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
“Professor Wingate?” Lia stammered. “What’s going on? Who called 911? And why are you wearing a woman’s negligee?”

by A. J. Cronin on January 24th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
“It’s not a woman’s negligee. It’s a man’s negligee”, the professor replied crossly. “But enough about my apparel. Whatever are you doing in my home? And please spare me the ridiculous tale of being summoned by a 911 call. I do not even own a telephone machine.”

by Karen on January 25th, 2008 at 8:39 am
It’s not a woman’s negligee. It’s a man’s negligee”, the professor replied crossly. “But enough about my apparel. Whatever are you doing in my home? And please spare me the ridiculous tale of being summoned by a 911 call. I do not even own a telephone machine.

LMAO. You are all too much!

Giggling….

by Diana on January 25th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Hey, Kim, welcome to the site! And thanks for jumping right in.

by Diana on January 25th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Thanks, Pamela — and all who answered on a writing blog. It seems like mostlyeveryone’s in agreement, so starting next month I’ll take one day to talk writing a particular writing topic.

by Diana on January 25th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
As he turned around, the apron did nothing to hide his french maids dress and stockings complete with black heels. Walking behind him to the kitcken I felt my dectctive skills shudder.

by Ally on January 28th, 2008 at 11:50 pm

Doing the Write Thing

18 Responses to “Doing the Write Thing”

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