Happy Mother's Day!

Best wishes of all kinds to all the moms out there. Hope you got at least something you wanted today, even if it was just a big hug and a kiss.

I got to work for many uninterrupted hours on my latest mystery novel WIP, so, for me, it's been a great day.

I got several big hugs and kisses, too, which made the day perfect.

Cheryl Walker

Being Bad

Shhhh. Don't tell...but I'm working on something I'm not supposed to be.

I know, how evil!

There's this idea for a new mystery series that I've had for a while, and even though I was sort of told not to work on it, I'm doing it anyway. I can't help it.

It's the characters. They're demanding. Some are whining. Especially the male lead who, really, is a supporting character and so gets a lot less screen time than he'd like. He's particularly noisy, demanding that I hurry up and get to his scenes.

But I'm not, because the other characters are also making noise, and there are more of them. And they band together, this set, they really do. Particularly since, as the real main characters are quick to mention, it's not his story so much as theirs. Though he's important and he's a nice boy and they like him and all. But, really, focus here, young lady, where it belongs.

They're kind of bossy, but that's okay. They're propelling their story forward, and that's what matters. Of course, this is the story I was sort of told not to work on...but no matter. I'm doing it anyway. And loving every line of it, too.

'Cause I'm bad to the bone that way.

Cheryl Walker

Waiting...the REAL Suspense

My latest novel's done, complete, finished. I've been through the line edits with my crit partner. It's been through the same with my agent. And now...now it's off to an editor with hopes that she'll love it and want to buy it.

There's nothing more I can do at this point but wait. I can't affect the outcome any longer -- the book's done and out there, a product to be sold, no longer my current beloved baby.

Oh, there's a period of mourning. A time to try to get it out of my system so I can move onto the next book. And then I have to force myself to forget. Not about the characters and their situations. But about the fact that I'm waiting for an answer. This is a slow business, and while the answer I want to hear may come soon, it also may not. And, as Tom Petty said, the waiting truly is the hardest part.

So, I'll do a little of this and a little of that. Re-read a few passages, just because I want to. And then, move on to the next. To write and love and nurture it to this very point, where I can send it out into the real world and see if it'll fly.

Mama birds have nothing on me.

Cheryl Walker

Who Killed the Synopsis?

Oh. No one. What a pity.

Yes, I'm at that point in every writer's life. Well, every novelist's life. The book is done and almost through the editing rounds, meaning it's almost ready to go to my agent. But it cannot go without...a synopsis.

I despise them. I truly do. I pretend that I'm okay with them, but I'm not. They turn my books into something dull and lifeless. And I find it hard to believe anyone's going to buy my books based on the present tense reiteration of the plot and characters.

From what my agent's told me, most if not all writers hate writing a synopsis, for the same reasons I do. She's not sold on their effectiveness, either, however, she's savvy enough to know you have to have a full arsenal if you want to win the publishing war. So, it's off to write a synopsis I go.

But I'm not happy about it.

So there.

Cheryl Walker

It's the Most Wonderful Time...

...of the year to be writing!

Well, and of course, other things, too. But I'm hard at work on my latest mystery, which is set in the summertime. I know, go figure, right? But I'm finding the hustle and bustle of this holiday time to be energizing, at least that's my answer when my husband asks why I didn't come to bed until 2:30am.

However, energized or not, I wanted to take the time to wish everyone the happiest of holidays and the most successful and prosperous of new years! May we all enjoy 2009 and find the mystery and excitement of life in every day.

Cheryl Walker

The Butler Made Me Do It

Well, really, it was my agent. Yes, you're right, it's the ever-challenging 'introduction post' of a new blog. What to say to entice blog readers to come on back?

(Look! Is that blood over there?)

I write mysteries and suspense, with thrills tossed in for good measure.

(Did you hear a shot in the dark?)

My agent is shopping my first series around -- and I've gotten some really complimentary rejections. You have to find that silver lining where you can, right?

(What about the mysterious behavior of the dog in the night?)

I'm hard at work on the first book of my next series. I may try my hand at short mysteries, but haven't felt the desperate need to do so just yet. I have another series begging for attention after I finish my current work in progress, and I find writing novels easier than writing shorts.

(Is that a bloody handprint under the throw rug?)

I like all kinds of mysteries, from what I consider the original master -- A. Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes -- through to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, and all points in between and beyond. Short and long, as long as there's something to solve, I want to read about it.

(Where'd the butler go, anyway? And who's hiding in the shadows with a candlestick?)

Hope to entertain you along my path to a succesful conclusion...and then entice you on to the next sequel.

(Wait...who's there? Is that --)

Cheryl Walker