tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443515033089669860.post2843659598333164247..comments2024-03-27T13:26:32.587-07:00Comments on Mystery Fanfare: On Writing a Long Running Series: Guest Post by Archer MayorJanet Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395834961880172395noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443515033089669860.post-71285348003368668902017-10-19T07:48:42.222-07:002017-10-19T07:48:42.222-07:00Since I finished a 28-book mystery series last fal...Since I finished a 28-book mystery series last fall, I heartily second Archer Mayer's conclusions that the "why" of who-dun-its and the characters, whether perps or continuing pro or amateur detectives, leads to infinite storylines and subjects. I write what I tongue-in-cheek call "Cozy-noir" mysteries with a strong-voiced Sam Spade cat, Midnight Louie, commenting on the action and sometimes causing it. Sure, it's a bit of fantasy construct, but it gives me a wide scope of operation. The Las Vegas setting alone provides a huge cast of people hitting town for fun and felonies. Murder at a book convention, an Elvis impersonator show, a local church, a legal brothel. . . and then there are the four main human characters: two women, two men; two pro, two amateur, with their intertwining personal and professional lives making them veer from antagonists to partners, perhaps even romantically at times. And there's always something to investigate the workings of: casino security, the mechanics of a magic or aerial show turned to murder scene, social issues as motives. Each book is a chapter in one long mega-novel where change and challenge keep the characters and readers on their toes. That's why I'm starting a new Midnight Louie series in 2018. The road, as Tolkien said, ever goes on and on. If you build it, they will come. Carole Nelson DouglasCarole Nelson Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01431995799842117842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443515033089669860.post-73306057595645992842017-10-19T07:46:03.274-07:002017-10-19T07:46:03.274-07:00Since I finished a 28-book mystery series last fal...Since I finished a 28-book mystery series last fall, I heartily second Archer Mayer's conclusions that the "why" of who-dun-its and the characters, whether perps or continuing pro or amateur detectives, leads to infinite storylines and subjects. I write what I tongue-in-cheek call "Cozy-noir" mysteries with a strong-voiced Sam Spade cat, Midnight Louie, commenting on the action and sometimes causing it. Sure, it's a bit of fantasy construct, but it gives me a wide scope of operation. The Las Vegas setting alone provides a huge cast of people hitting town for fun and felonies. Murder at a book convention, an Elvis impersonator show, a local church, a legal brothel. . . and then there are the four main human characters: two women, two men; two pro, two amateur, with their intertwining personal and professional lives making them veer from antagonists to partners, perhaps even romantically at times. And there's always something to investigate the workings of: casino security, the mechanics of a magic or aerial show turned to murder scene, social issues as motives. Each book is a chapter in one long mega-novel where change and challenge keep the characters and readers on their toes. That's why I'm starting a new Midnight Louie series in 2018. The road, as Tolkien said, ever goes on and on. If you build it, they will come. Carole Nelson Douglas Carole Nelson Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01431995799842117842noreply@blogger.com