Misbehaving Novel Update

For those of you keeping score at home, my latest mystery novel is finally out my agent's door and headed to the big bad world of "please, sir or madam, would you like to buy me?"

My agent had me wrassle more of it into submission, but finally, we're both happy with it. (Everyone has at least one novel that totally misbehaves, right? Right? Everyone? Even Dame Agatha and Sir Arthur? Right?)

So, after heaving that sigh of relief, the next issue rears its ugly head...

Now what?

Off to contemplate the next while waiting to hear on the finished. An author's life is not all wine and roses, is it?

Cheryl Walker

Gnashing My Teeth

For the first time in a long time I'm having trouble with...my ending.

I'm at the tail end of my latest (you all remember, the novel I wasn't supposed to be doing but couldn't shut the characters up enough to not do? Yes, that one.). When I do a read-through, it just zips along, as a good mystery novel should.

Note that I didn't say when I did the one read-through. No. Because I've had to do more than a couple. Several, even. And I think I have to do one again.

Because this book wants to be longer than I want it to be, I think.

Of course, there were the characters who tried to get themselves introduced at 90,000 words in. I was kind but firm. Had to cut them. That's the firm part. They can show up in the second book in this series. That was the kind part.

And then there was the boring 'let's all get together and hang' part that I cut out. Found a better, more action-oriented way to do same. So far, so good. Only...

Only, I swear that it's impossible to hit the word count I was going for unless I gut a third of the book. And, in the read-throughs, the part that needs gutting and streamlining is...sigh...the end. Not that I'm done yet, mind you. While I am an 'edit as you go' writer, normally, at this point in the MS (you know, the END points) I'd finish and cut after it was done. But, I can't. I just cannot. Which means, of course, that something's wrong (again) and I need to read-through (again) and figure out what to cut and change (again).

Of course, as my spouse and crit partner tell me, maybe this book is just supposed to be longer than I'd thought.

Maybe.

I'll bet Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Dame Agatha Christie didn't have this problem. I'll bet their books behaved. I'll bet they fell right into place without any wrangling at all.

Oh well. Off to do some more mental wrestling. I will win, I tell you! I will! Even if I have to decide to let the book be the length it demands. But I'm not going down without a fight.

Or, clearly, without another read-through.

Cheryl Walker

Happy Birthday, Arthur

Today is the 150th birthday of my favorite author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Scottish-born literary genius. Having created two of the most iconic and everlasting characters ever in Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, Sir Arthur truly is The Man.

I've read every Sherlock Holmes story every written by Sir Arthur, many times over. They never cease to compel and entertain. If you somehow haven't read them, race out right now and get a copy of the Complete Sherlock Holmes. If you have, take some time to re-read the best detective stories ever written.

So, a happy birthday to the great man and his ability to entertain, not only in his own time, but in all the times that came after. That's a legacy all authors aspire to, but only the Great Ones achieve.

Cheryl Walker

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