Today it is our pleasure to welcome editor & author Jodie Renner to share expert editing advice. Jodie is generously sharing her wisdom on how to improve your story before you share it with others. Jodie is an editor and award-winning author of three Editor’s Guides to Writing Compelling Fiction: Writing a Killer Thriller Fire up Your Fiction Captivate Your Readers Jodie’s […]
Source: Take Your Story up Several Levels by Editor Jodie Renner – Fictionary
Farley here,
Winter has arrived, and with that my fashion has changed.
Kristina makes me wear boots. We meet in the front hall, and she puts on her coat and boots. I wait until she turns to me with the dreaded boots.
I resist the boots by stretching my toes, so it makes it hard for Kristina to get the boots on tight. I’m thinking, “Maybe I can lose the boots in the snow.”
No such luck at first.
But then we hit deep snow. First I lose one…then another…then the third.
That back one just won’t fall off. I think I’ve gotten away with this until my pads start to hurt. I flatten in the snow and try to pick the ice out of my pads with my teeth.
Kristina walks towards me. Mathew has gone in search of my boots.
I roll my big brown eyes at her and wag my tail. I hope she isn’t mad at me.
She smiles, kneels in the snow, and takes off her winter mitts. She pokes in between my pads and gets the ice out. This takes a while. Her hands turn red. She’s shaking a little, so I know she’s cold, but she keeps going.
Then she wraps her hands around my paws, one by one, and warms them up.
Mathew returns with my boots, and puts them back on. This time I’ll try to keep them on.
My humans are the best.
Woof Woof
When M.H Callway approached me about hosting Medames of Mayhems on Mystery Mondays, I was thrilled! As a Canadian, showcasing a collection of Canadian mystery authors makes me proud of the writers in our little country.
The newly released Anthology is a must read for mystery lovers. You’ll get exposed to a variety of styles and stories, so why not check it out.
Now over to the Medames…
13 CLAWS BY THE MESDAMES OF MAYHEM
13 Claws is the third anthology by the Mesdames of Mayhem. It’s a collection of 17 crime fiction stories by 15 authors, three of whom are newcomers to the genre.
We are all animal lovers so it’s natural we’d pen tales centred on our non-human friends. Caro Soles rescues dachshunds from puppy mills and Melodie Campbell’s “Frankenpoodle” works as a therapy dog. All of us own – or have owned – a cat or a dog and like Jane Burfield, several of each at the same time. Cheryl Freedman though favours much more exotic pets: ferrets!
Few cozies in our book though. Perhaps it’s the influence of our troubled times, but our writing has taken a decidedly darker turn.
We are 15 established Canadian crime fiction authors. Most of us have won or been nominated for major awards like the Arthur Ellis, Edgar, Derringer, Debut Dagger, Bony Pete and Ippy.
Back in 2013, I had the idea that my two literary critique groups should join forces on social media. Donna Carrick designed our website, set up our Facebook and Twitter accounts – and the Mesdames of Mayhem were born.
Our goal is to promote Canadian crime fiction. Many readers here at home don’t realize that their favorite crime writers may be Canadian. And of course, many American readers never hear about Canadian titles.
We work to promote women crime writers and many of us are longstanding members of Sisters in Crime. It might surprise readers that Sisters in Crime has Brother members, men who promote equity for women authors. I’m happy to say that the Mesdames have a Monsieur of Mayhem, Ed Piwowarczyk.
All of us are published short story writers and most of us are novelists. Several of us are also proficient in other forms of fiction: Lisa De Nikolits and Sylvia Warsh are literary authors; Melodie Campbell and Caro Soles have written books in fantasy and speculative fiction; and Rosemary Aubert is a respected poet. Catherine Dunphy is a biographer and she and Madonna Skaff write for young adults.
For details, do check out our website.
Why create three anthologies?
13 Claws is our third anthology. When we first got together, we thought that an 
anthology would be a great way readers could get to know the work of many different writers. We do write from comedy to noir. Even better, our readers could go on to read more books and stories by the writers they enjoyed.
To our delight, Thirteen, did really well and the stories by Donna Carrick and Sylvia Warsh were nominated for the Arthur Ellis Short Story award. That encouraged us to issue our second anthology, 13 O’clock with crime stories focused on time. And later, our third collection, 13 Claws.
Why “Thirteen” in the titles?
When we put together our first anthology, 13 of us contributed stories. So I thought: why not simply call our collection Thirteen?
And 13 has proved to be our lucky number! Promoting our anthologies has led to numerous public readings, warm partnerships with our public libraries and community theatres, participation in literary festivals like Word on The Street, radio interviews, you name it – more publicity than we ever anticipated or imagined.
13 Claws features three newcomers? How did that happen?
We love to teach. Several of us teach or have taught creative writing: Catherine Astolfo, Rosemary Aubert, Mel Campbell, Cathy Dunphy, Lynne Murphy, Rosemary McCracken, Caro Soles and Sylvia Warsh.
For 13 Claws, we ran a contest for writers who had never published a crime fiction story. Our winner, Mary Patterson, has a delightful story about a cat detective though she’s actually a dog lover. Our finalist, Roz Place wrote a chilling suspense tale about a disappearance revealed by a cat. And in our other runner-up, Marilyn Kay’s police procedural, a stray cat is at the heart of dark crime.
What do reviewers say about 13 Claws?
Our previous anthologies have been warmly reviewed but we were especially delighted to be singled out by Jack Batten, the crime fiction reviewer at the Toronto Star, who had this to say about 13 Claws:
In one especially clever story by Catherine Dunphy, we get a plot built around boxes of animal crackers.
But just because the contributors to the collection write out of an affection for animals doesn’t mean readers need similar feelings to appreciate the stories. There’s enough suspense and intellectual fascination built into the plots of the majority of stories to satisfy even the most ferociously cynophobic reader. Catherine Astolfo’s story involving a pig offers an intriguing way of giving Paul Bernardo himself a case of the chills. And M. H. Callway’s tale mixes snakes and the real estate business in a way that will make readers run a mile from both.
Maureen Jennings, creator of the famous Murdoch series, writes:
A great mix of shuddery dark and tongue-in-cheek funny. What devious minds all these nice women have.
And Vanessa Westermann, reviewer for Sleuth of Baker Street newsletters, writes:
I can only recommend it. There’s something here for everyone. The stories, ranging from cozy mysteries to thrillers, feature cats, dogs, dragons and snakes – some of which are quite mischievous. As stated on the Mesdames’ website, the writers all share one mission: to thrill readers with their passion for Crime Fiction.
M.H. Callway is the pen name of Madeleine Harris-Callway, the founding member of the Mesdames of Mayhem. Her debut thriller, Windigo Fire, was short-listed for the Arthur Ellis Best First Novel award.
Her award-winning short crime fiction stories and novellas have been published in several anthologies and mystery magazines and are available in the book, Glow Grass and Other Tales.
Farley here.
Kristina loves dogs. That’s fine, but she should love me the most.
To get her fill of other dogs, she likes to do something she calls “Dog Sitting.”
I like it when she dogs sits other dogs and we’re outside.
But when a dog enters my home, I have to claim Kristina as mine.
I don’t mind sharing a stick, but I do mind sharing Kristina. No one else can go near her!
Woof Woof
I’ve found a lot of joy over the years helping authors promote their books online. Now, I’ve expanded that to help authors learn how to do their own story edit. Some of you know I not only write books, but I’m also the CEO of Fictionary.co.
Fictionary is the first online tool for editing your story, not your words. Think characters, plot, and settings.
Fictionary is developed by writers for writers. That’s me 🙂 and indie author Michael Conn. Our third co-founder is Mathew Stanley – yup – my husband. He’s been my first reader and eagle-eye-editor for years.
Today, I’m thrilled to announce the Fictionary Story Editing Course.
This course will guide you through your manuscript with a scene-by-scene approach to editing. Fictionary focuses on the story, not the words.
Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming author Luke Murphy to Mystery Mondays. Luke’s new book. WILD CARD, was released last week by Imajin Books. He’s here to talk about writing a series – something he has a lot of personal experience with.
I met Luke via Imajin Books, loved the first two books in the series: DEAD MAN’S HAND and KISS & TELL and am looking forward reading WILD CARD.
Over to Luke…
By Luke Murphy
So I’ve written my first sequel, which was a new experience for me. WILD CARD is the second part to my debut novel, DEAD MAN’S HAND. I have no plans, no idea how many books I’ll write with these characters. I’ll just write, and see where the characters take me. Who knows?
PROS: There are definitely some benefits to writing a sequel.
Characters
For one, the main cast of characters are already formed. Readers are familiar with the main characters in the series, and there is no need for a lot of backstory to get readers caught up, or a lot of explicit detail to show character traits and physical appearances.
Setting
Since I already researched the setting of my first novel, I can save that time for novel #2, because I am already familiar with the city (Las Vegas) that I’ve chosen for the setting of my adventures.
Readers/Fans
Since I have book #1 under my belt, I’ve already formed a small fan base and readership who are earnestly awaiting my next novel. I won’t have to worry about reaching those readers, as they are returning customers, and will already be searching out my books.
CONS:
Expectations
Because DEAD MAN’S HAND garnered so much attention and success, now there is a level of expectation that comes with my next book. With so much praise and five-star reviews, readers have a high expectation of what they are looking for with a new Calvin Watters’ book.
Time
I don’t have to tell you that it’s a lot faster to read a book than it is to write it. Readers are expecting another book as soon as they finish reading the previous one. It took me five years to write the sequel to DEAD MAN’S HAND (sandwiching another book in between), and once readers have finished WILD CARD, they will be expecting another Calvin Watters adventure. I might not have time to breathe.
Ideas
There are only so many ideas/conflicts to write about, so coming up with new, fresh ideas for my characters with each new novel, can possess a bit of a challenge for a writer.
With all that said, I really enjoyed writing WILD CARD, the sequel to DEAD MAN’S HAND, and I look forward to possibly writing more Calvin Watters’ adventures in the future.
![Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00071]](https://kristinastanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/wild-card-front-cover-small.jpg?w=292&h=438)
This time, it’s not a job.
After proving his innocence as a murder suspect, taking down an assassin, and being an instrumental part in solving a high profile murder, Calvin Watters believes he can finally move on—until Ace Sanders’ prison escape catapults him into action.
This time, it’s personal!
Something has always bothered Detective Dale Dayton about the arrest of Ace Sanders. Call it police intuition, but his inner ‘cop alarm’ keeps twitching. When Dale reopens the case, he’s introduced to new evidence that leads him into a political nightmare.
Who will play the Wild Card to survive?
While Calvin tracks Sanders across continents and into unknown, unfriendly surroundings, Dale remains in Vegas to uncover the truth behind police corruption, prison escapes, and hired assassins. But Calvin and Dale must be vigilant, because there’s a deadly, new player in town.
Luke Murphy is the International bestselling author of Dead Man’s Hand (Imajin Books, 2012) and Kiss & Tell (Imajin Books, 2015).
Murphy played six years of professional hockey before retiring in 2006. His sports column, “Overtime” (Pontiac Equity), was nominated for the 2007 Best Sports Page in Quebec, and won the award in 2009. He has also worked as a radio journalist (CHIPFM 101.7).
Murphy lives in Shawville, QC with his wife, three daughters and pug. He is a teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing, and a Bachelor of Education (Magna Cum Laude).
Wild Card, a sequel to Dead Man’s Hand, is Murphy’s third novel.
For more information on Luke and his books, visit: http://www.authorlukemurphy.com, ‘like’ his Facebook page www.facebook.com/AuthorLukeMurphy and follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/AuthorLMurphy
Review Blurbs
“All the danger, treachery, and action a thriller reader could wish for. Luke Murphy has the touch.”
—Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Order
“Hold on for a wild ride that doesn’t end until the last page.”
—Jordan Dane, bestselling author of the Sweet Justice series
“Murder, sex, hackers…an elaborate criminal chess game: Luke Murphy delivers.”
—Bryan Gruley, author of the Starvation Lake trilogy
Farley here,
Two obstacles stand in the way of my off-leash freedom. Bears and golfers.
I haven’t seen a bear in weeks. Dare I suggest they’ve all gone to a higher altitude in search of a place to hibernate?
When winter is on the way, golfers go south, I think.
For me the coming winter is a reason to celebrate. I have miles of open grass to play on. There are sticks everywhere in the forest. I don’t have to wear a leash. And…My hair grows long.
Three cheers for winter!
Woof Woof
Do you like writing? Do you have pets? Pens, Paws and Claws is a series that focuses on writing and pets. This is perfect for me, as these are two of my passions (which you know if you read Farley’s Friday).
I’ve been invited to guest post on Pens, Plaws, and Claws this week.
Here’s what I posted…
This week, Kristina Stanley is our guest author for #WriterWednesday. Tell our readers a little about yourself and your writing. Thank you for having me on Pens, Paws, and Claws. It’s exciting for…
Source: Meet Kristina Stanley – Pens, Paws, and Claws
Farley here,
Nine years ago today, I started taking care of Kristina and Mathew. They had a lot to learn.
Look how cute they were that first day! I look a little shocked, but I got the hang of taking care of humans (meaning getting them to do what I want) pretty quickly.
First, make sure your human knows when to feed you. Pawing at the bowl and banging it against the wall is a great training technique. This works for the water bowl, too.
Then, make sure they put your crate or bed in their bedroom. This is easy too. Practice your best sad cry at 3 am. Don’t stop until crate/bed is moved beside your human. It only took me a year to move from the crate to their bed.
Humans don’t like it if you pee inside the house, so run to the door and prance in circles. A little woof will get their attention. If they’re not understanding you, squat but don’t pee yet. They’ll run from wherever they are and open the door.
Most importantly, we dogs need a lot of love. To get invited onto a lap, sit at a humans feet, gently place you head on their foot, and give them your best loving eyes. Nudge their hand. Give a a little kiss – not too much because slobber is not appreciated. Before you know it, the human will pick you up and snuggle with you on their lap.
That’s the basics of training a human. Good luck!
Woof Woof
Farley here,
Happiness has descended on my village. Yup, I live in a small village.
Every spring, something bad happens. Golfers arrive and take over my park. From May to October, they hit some little ball into a hole. They don’t even chase the balls and bring it back. They just cheer if it goes into the hole. Kind of odd behaviour.
But every fall, they leave. I don’t know where they go, but now I’m free to roam and play,
Check out my terrain!
There are multiple places for me to dig in the sand.
There are tons of sticks in the forest for my to carry and chew.
You can’t see them, but there are also ponds for me to swim in.
And…And…there is no leash in sight.
So yes, happiness has descended on my village.
Woof Woof. Wag Wag.
Kristina Stanley 