Writing a novel is a strange thing, I’m discovering. When I write a poem or short story, I know more or less what I’m doing, and whether what I’m doing is working. But with this novel I’m currently writing, while I’m enjoying the process, I have no idea if it’s actually working.
A murder mystery needs a killer, and clues, and it needs someone who will solve the crime, and so make sure everyone is safe. So I created a town, quite similar to a town I know well, and I created people who live in or near the town, and I came up with a dead person, possibly murdered, and I know I have to plant clues, as well as ‘red herrings’ and my main character has to be interesting, and not seem to smart, or too stupid either.
I’ve read quite a few murder mysteries over the years, and I’m very interested in the whole idea of writing in this genre. But I’m not sure whether I’m capable of doing this. I like the town, and the people, I really like my main character, and some of the other characters feel like friends too.
I’m definitely going to go on writing about the town I’ve come up with, my town of Talloola. This is my town and I love it! There are some great things going on in Talloola, and I’m glad to be watching them happen!
So I’m going to go on writing away at this project, forwarding some of my writing of this novel to a friend, and she is enjoying what I’m writing. I hope I continue to write words that go on being enjoyable. And I hope I get my head around the necessary aspects of plot, that will make this work look and read like a cosy murder mystery!
If anyone could offer any ideas about things to make sure I have in the novel, I’m all ears!
Carolyn Cordon - Creative 