It started out tragic and now it's lightening up

Wolfe: Murder started out with the protagonist in misery, self-doubt, and pain. As he goes through the story, he's finding hope and some fun in life so his demeanor is changing from dour to lighter with some smiles and quips. Is this realistic? Maybe it's what's supposed to happen. I just have to keep putting words on the screen and see that happens. How to maintain some control?

Do you allow a character to take over a book?

Working on the second in the Wolfe series - a mystery - and I have a character based on a friend of mine. That character is emerging as a larger part of the story than I first intended. In fact, this 'person' may well take focus away from Wolfe. At this point (still on the first draft) I'm going to just let it happen. Then revise as necessary. Interesting what happens in the process, eh?

Characters *do* speak to you

Interesting. While I was writing a scene for the second in the Wolfe series, I introduced a character. And as I was writing, it came to me what the personality of this person would be. And how that personality would influence the plot line. All that from a couple of sentences. Amazing!

Mystery v. Thriller

As this is my first mystery (Wolfe: Murder on Campus), I'm learning as I go. One difference (IMHO) is that the dialog and characters are way more important than in a thriller. Of course, this may signal that I'll never write a good novel in either genre. We'll see, won't we. Check out what may be a curious mix of both (Fear of Heights) at my web site www.pfstubbs.com.

Plot, Plot, Plot

Dialog has to advance plot - right? I'm OK with dialog, but stitching it all together into a plot (or sub-plot) is not easy. [Got to just keep writing. Don't edit; just write]

Dialog! More Dialog!

It seems as though Wolfe: Murder is nothing but dialog. That's something new for me. The plot is advanced by the interaction among/ between characters. Still getting used to that. Lots of scenes. Just have to write and figure it out later.

Back to Wolfe: Murder on Campus

After avoiding it for some time now, I've returned to the second (third?) in the Wolfe series, Murder on Campus. I've decided to write this one in the style of a mystery. The first book, Wolfe: Missing, was (IMHO) a thriller. And I'm finding out there are some interesting differences.

Mysteries are *much* slower paced - at least this one is, whereas Missing was driven by plot and moved very quickly through events, Murder seems to be about who the characters are, how they interact, and how they are related to what's past rather than mostly how they react to ongoing events. It will take me some time to make that mental shift in gears.  We'll see if it turns out anywhere near readable. More to come.

Now I have to promote the book

So, now begins the slog. I've written the damn thing and it's up on Smashwords. Now I have to get people talking, reading, and buying it. And how's that supposed to happen?

Well, first off, I've posted a give-away on both Facebook and Linkedin. I'll give away 5 copies to those who send me their email if they'll read and comment/ critique. I'll make the same offer here. Here's the blurb so you'll know what you're getting:

Jacob Helder is a government agent with a problem: He has an intense fear of heights. On his way back from rehab, he is repeatedly attacked - but why? As Helder struggles to survive and identify his adversary, acrophobia pushes him to his limits. Friends are killed and injured as he pursues his attackers finally leading to a roof-top battle and death.

Go to my page on Facebook   http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pfstubbs
or Linkedin and search for me. Then send me a private message. I'll send you a PDF file. Then you read and comment. Thanks,

My First eBook is available

After many futile attempts to interest agents in my first novel, Fear of Heights, I took the plunge and put it up as an eBook on Smashwords. You can take a look and sample it at
https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=stubbs

Jacob Helder is a government agent with a problem: He has an intense fear of heights. On his way back from rehab, he is repeatedly attacked - but why? As Helder struggles to survive and identify his adversary, acrophobia pushes him to his limits. Friends are killed and injured as he pursues his attackers finally leading to a roof-top battle and death.

I'd be pleased if you'd check it out.

Met with editor

I met with my editor (that sounds/feels strange to say/write) yesterday for coffee. Peet's, of course. And we talked about the book and progress, etc. All-in-all, a good session. Moving on. Angelo, that's his name, is cleaning up all those nagging mistakes in punctuation and also offering suggestions to tighten up the work. So far, so good. Up to chapter 8 of 30+.

ePublishing - not all that simple.

I've decided to move forward with ePublishing one of my novels: Fear of Heights. I originally wrote it back in the 70's, put it in a box, mailed it to myself and stashed it on a shelf - that's the way you did copyright back then.

We moved around the country, dragging it and our kids with us until we landed in San Jose. My sister and I were on the phone one day (she lives in Florida) and I mentioned the box with the manuscript in it, still sealed, still on a shelf. She urged me to open it, which I did, and began to read it for what seemed like the first time. Anyway, after I'd read it and let a few friends do the same, I added some chapters, and now I've hired a copy editor to clean it up before I upload it. I'll keep you up to date as that progresses.