Three types of research and a couple of opportunities

cj Sez:  When I was writing persuasive essays in college, I was required to cite three different types of supporting research. The interesting thing is those same types of research are the bases for writing novels as well.

   Remember the adage “write what you know” or my favorite “write the truth?” In order to know, you really do have to conduct research…perhaps even if you’re writing about your own career field or experience. One of my novels is set on the Yampa River where I spent five-and-a-half days white water rafting. But the experience was a few years before I wrote the story. I had to do some secondary and primary research to reinforce my memories of the personal experience.

     Secondary research sources come from reading. In the case of authors (fiction or non-fiction), that means reading true crime stories, newspaper and/or magazine articles, medical or legal journals,  and maybe true crime/forensic TV shows. (I like the Justice Network and Dr. Jan Garavaglia’s Chief Medical Examiner shows.) Wikipedia may not be a most reliable source, but I find it’s a great place to send me down rabbit holes where I learn a lot.

     You most certainly have to be a reader in order to write well. Stephen King says: “If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write.”

   Primary research sources are the interviews conducted with the experts in the field you’re exploring. Interview a doctor/nurse/lab tech for a medical mystery; lawyers for legal novels; cops for police procedurals.

 Personal experience is awesome. More than informative, it is transformative and can provide a credible platform from which to write your story. I spent several weeks at a citizens’ police academy, several more at a citizens’ fire and rescue academy, and finally at an FBI citizens’ academy. Firing handguns at the gun range was a highlight of the police academy, as was the self-defense class and experiencing a ride-along with an on-duty police officer. The fire and rescue citizens’ academy included being roped down from the roof of a four-story building and breaking out the windows of a crashed vehicle to rescue a passenger. Other class members used the Jaws of Life to cut away the doors. I learned about pursuing organized crime figures, fingerprints, how Luminol detects blood, and lie detector tests with the FBI citizens’ academy, and I fired an old Tommy gun on their gun range day. Many towns and cities offer similar opportunities. I’ve also attended the Writer’s Police Academy, now known as MurderCon. (The pursuit of the truth never ends.)

   Note: Yes, I know. The 2020 pandemic halted all those personal experience activities for the foreseeable future, but hopefully not forever.  Reading is still available, and interviews can be conducted by phone.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING….

     Sisters in Crime Contest: The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award is an annual grant of $2,000 for an emerging writer of color, and you do not have to be a member of SinC to enter. You do need to hurry though. The submissions period ends on June 8, 2020. Read the requirements here:

https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/EleanorTaylorBland

    Call for submission:  Bienvenue Press has a call for submissions for their 2020 charity anthology. The deadline is August 1, 2020.  Find the particulars here:

https://bienvenuepressblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/01/call-for-submissions-3/?fbclid=IwAR2Zglx8HN8cyroiwHXzpSduUHqj46TNS09g4y3CVCyfjQ1d2TI5SvnIvdA

   That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same, (Sending up prayers for your health and safety.)

cj

My love story, “Love is Immortal” is one of the short stories in Bienvenue to the Chateau Rouge anthology

One of the 5 star reviews for Bienvenue…

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read

“This is a wonderful array of short stories about an awesome hotel and an incredible staff. Totally keeps your attention through each story.”

The anthology is available through these fine sites: https://books2read.com/u/bpOMw9?fbclid=IwAR3R2NTI8nH5U8JhXwJynbxkbYQhlK4H-sbTFU5YRhGDB2CocTPkdf8TSEE

   TO ORDER my autographed books or any book of your choice on-line from my favorite indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: The Haunted Bookshop 

➜ Follow me . . .

➜         on Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page = https://amzn.to/2v6SrAj

➜         on Facebook at:   cjpetterson/author/facebook

➜         on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

A little history about a solemn remembrance

cj Sez:  Because I think this information is important, this post is a repeat from 2018  . . .

All sacrificed some; some sacrificed all.

Q. What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

A. People often confuse the purposes of Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served—not only those who died—have sacrificed greatly and done their duty.   

   Memorial Day is a day that was set aside to remember and honor military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

   Today they are generally treated by many people as interchangeable opportunities to thank and honor all military veterans, living or dead, who served honorably in wartime or peacetime.

   It wasn't always called Memorial Day — it used to be known as Decoration Day. (cj Sez: When I was little, we called it Poppy Day instead of Decoration Day.) Whatever the name, it's a day of remembrance for all those who have died in service of the United States of America.

   Born of the Civil War, Memorial Day began as a holiday honoring Union soldiers, and some states still have separate Confederate observances. Mississippi celebrates Confederate Memorial Day on the last Monday of April, Alabama on the fourth Monday of April, and Georgia on April 26. North and South Carolina observe it on May 10, Louisiana on June 3 and Tennessee calls that date Confederate Decoration Day. Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes Day on Jan. 19 and Virginia calls the last Monday in May Confederate Memorial Day. (cj Sez: In this era of intolerance and cries to erase visible traces of our sad history, memorials respecting Confederate soldiers who died fighting for what they believed in may not exist much longer.)

   The date of the first Decoration Day, the 30th of May, 1868, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular Civil War battle.

   In 1915, inspired by the rondeau poem “In Flanders Fields” (penned by Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae while still at a World War I battlefront), Moina Michael conceived the idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need.

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   The thoughts below are from the Facebook of Janie Delchamps Zetsch of Dauphin Island, AL, a veteran and member of AL Post 250. It says everything. In 2018 Janie told me it had been a repost and gave me permission to use it. I repeat it again today. Please take a minute to read it all the way through.

   “Just a reminder of what we celebrate (this) weekend. I am but one of millions of proud veterans, however it is not about us. It is to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice during battle, and to honor those that served and have now gone onto their eternal rest. The following, pointed, reminders are provided for your use, knowledge and perhaps to teach a child what we celebrate and honor on Memorial Day.

Here's some ground rules…:
1. Don't wish me a Happy Memorial day. There is nothing happy about brave men and women dying.
2. It's not a holiday. It's a remembrance.
3. If you want to know the true meaning, visit Arlington or your local VA, not Disneyland.
4. Don't tell me how great any one political power is. Tell me about Chesty Puller, George Patton, John Basilone, Dakota Meyer, Kyle Carpenter, Mitchell Paige, Ira Hayes, Chris Kyle and any other heroes too numerous to name. Attend a Bell Ceremony and shed some tears.
5. Don't tell me I don't know what I am talking about. I have carried the burden all too many times for my warriors who now stand their post for God.
6. Say a prayer... and then another.
7. Remember the Fallen for all the Good they did while they were here.
8. Reach out and let a Vet know you're there, we're losing too many in "peace". God Bless those who fought and died and served this nation for our freedom.”

///

cj Sez:  I owe a humbling debt of gratitude—one I can never repay—to the heroes who died so that my family and I live in freedom today. I pray God’s blessings and comfort rain down on their families.

   That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same, (Sending up prayers for your health and safety.)

cj

My short story, "Love is Immortal" is part of the Bienvenue to the Chateau Rouge anthology available now. (The ebook was still 99 cents at the time of this post…BUT the price will increase on Monday, May 25.)  The anthology is available through these fine sites: https://books2read.com/u/bpOMw9?fbclid=IwAR3R2NTI8nH5U8JhXwJynbxkbYQhlK4H-sbTFU5YRhGDB2CocTPkdf8TSEE

TO ORDER my autographed books or any book of your choice on-line from my favorite indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: The Haunted Bookshop 

➜ Follow me . . .

➜         on Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page = https://amzn.to/2v6SrAj

➜         on Facebook at:   cjpetterson/author/facebook

➜         on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

Changing genres, keeping voice

cj Sez:  First things first: CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of my Amazon gift card in last week's "Bienvenue to the Chateau" Facebook Hop!

THE WINNER IS . . . TERRI QUICK. Congratulations, Terri, and THANK YOU to everyone who joined in celebrating the launch of the anthology and letting me enter their names in my contest.

///

   After a busy week of Facebook hopping and family crises, I’m now back at the keyboard, thinking up another adversity for the protagonist in my short story work-in-progress. Writing a suspense/mystery is a learning process for me, and my current WIP also has a paranormal vibe to it—yet another genre challenge.

   What remains the same among the genres in which I write is that I want my protagonist to be likable with a sassy dialogue, have some personality quirks, and carry a bit of backstory baggage to be dropped intermittently into the story (no info dumps, please). There is a unique setting and a love interest to add a little jazz. Each of the main characters, including the bad guy, has a secret that I hope will generate some degree of sympathy.

   Where I’m struggling in this project is with the clues and red herrings. Where and how do I place them so they invite the reader deeper into the suspense/mystery?

   I am a pantser, or more accurately, a pathfinder. I begin knowing how a story starts, and I kind of know how it will end. Unlike following a beautifully constructed plot, I like the excitement of finding my way through the story by building roadblocks for my protagonist then figuring out how to have her escape and move forward. For this suspense/mystery WIP, I am going to have to do a bit of {gasp} plotting before I can drop the clues and weave red herrings into places that best invite the reader to continue the journey to the end.

   Like all manuscripts, my story will change and grow with each edit cycle. My characters, settings, clues, and red herrings will be (hopefully) more thoroughly developed.

   What I really like about this project is that I’m learning new things. My personal goal is, and has always been, to learn something new every day—this story is certainly helping me reach my goal. How about you? Do you have a personal goal you're working toward?

///

 

   That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on and washing your hands, and I’ll try to do the same. (That's me going out for groceries.) ➜

Prayers going up for your health and safety.

cj

   (The ebook was still 99 cents at the time of this post.) Also available through these fine sites:   https://books2read.com/u/bpOMw9?fbclid=IwAR3R2NTI8nH5U8JhXwJynbxkbYQhlK4H-sbTFU5YRhGDB2CocTPkdf8TSEE

  TO ORDER any book of your choice on-line from my favorite indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: The Haunted Bookshop 

➜ Follow me . . .

➜         on Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page = https://amzn.to/2v6SrAj

➜         on Facebook at:   cjpetterson/author/facebook

➜         on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

A Facebook Hop starts on Mothers' Day

cj Sez:  Hop on over to Facebook for the "Bienvenue to the Chateau Rouge" Facebook Hop…

  Pages and pages of authors, including me, and we all have a give-away. There’s also a “grand prize” that will be awarded by your final hop...which takes you over to Bienvenue Press. I'll have more info on my FB page cjpetterson/author/facebook

/// 

   I read someplace that love is the deepest emotion we share with one another. So, to all the Moms out there. . . I hope your Mothers' Day is filled to overflowing with love.

          ///

   When we lived many miles apart, I sent flowers to my sons on Mother’s Day, because they have always been a source of pride. And besides, I wouldn’t be a mother without them. This year, they gave me bouquets and balloons. They could have given me a dandelion blossom, slightly crushed and moist from a sweaty little palm, as they did when they were little, and I could feel more loved.

///

   I can’t end this post without remembering my Mom, as I do every day. I'm constantly finding something I want to share with her. I’m grateful that she was the mother who soothed my fears and dried my tears. No matter what mistakes I made, she was a non-judgmental, sweet, sweet soul who believed in me, believed that I could do anything. Thank you, Mama. You are always in my heart, and I miss you dearly. 

///

   You-all guys keep on keeping on, and washing your hands, and I’ll try to do the same. Prayers going up for your health and safety.

cj

PS: For sure this is me: No matter how old a mother is, she watches her middle-aged children for signs of improvement.  — FLORIDA SCOTT-MAXWELL

/// 

   Here’s a tip: A book would be the perfect gift for Mom. It’s always the right size; it’s non-fat, non-carb, and gluten- and sugar-free; plus it doesn’t need watering yet doesn’t turn brown and wilt in a couple of days. And it’s reusable!

   TO ORDER the book of your choice on-line from my favorite indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: The Haunted Bookshop 

➜ Follow me . . .

➜         on Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page = https://amzn.to/2v6SrAj

➜         on Facebook at:   cjpetterson/author/facebook

➜         on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

A call for short story submissions, Derringer Awards

cj Sez: From Bienvenue Press, a call for romance short story submissions (word count 5,000 to 10,000 words) with a deadline of August 1, 2020:

   “Bienvenue Press is pleased to announce a Christmas-themed anthology for charity benefiting the Acadiana Writing Project. What are we looking for? Romance stories featuring a character who works in the educational system. bit.ly/2Yn0iGX #MSWL #Submissions #amwriting ”

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Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Derringer Awards!

    On May 1, the Short Story Mystery Fiction Society announced the winners of the 2020 Derringer Awards ...

FLASH (ranges up to 1,000 words)

    Josh Pachter, The Two-Body Problem, Mystery Weekly Magazine: October 2019. 

SHORT (ranges from 1,0001 to 4,000 words)

    John Floyd, On the Road with Mary Jo, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine: Jan/February 2019

LONG (ranges from 4,001 to 8,000 words)

    Sandra Murphy, Lucy’s Tree, The Eyes of Texas: Private Eyes from the Panhandle to the Piney Woods, Editor Michael Bracken: October 2019

NOVELETTE (ranges from 8,001 to 20,000 words)

    Brendan Dubois, with His Sister’s Secrets, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine: July/ August 2019

The Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement is annually awarded to an outstanding living writer of short mysteries, selected by a five-member panel of the SMFS President, Vice President, and Awards Coordinator, and two regular members. 

This year's recipient: Josh Pachter

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Pre-launch sale! My paranormal, short story, “Love is Immortal,” is included in BIENVENUE TO THE CHATEAU ROUGE, an anthology scheduled for release May 12.  Pre-order now at 99 cents!  

Available at these fine sites: https://books2read.com/u/bpOMw9?fbclid=IwAR3R2NTI8nH5U8JhXwJynbxkbYQhlK4H-sbTFU5YRhGDB2CocTPkdf8TSEE

Here’s a bonus…free for the downloading.

   The authors of BIENVENUE to the CHATEAU ROUGE, have joined together to give you a little something extra. "Lagniappe" is a collection of novellas and short stories that offers a sneak peek at the writers who have stories included in the anthology release.

   Read the teasers and download Lagniappe here   https://bit.ly/2WNYDtu     

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   If you rearrange the letters in CORONA, it spells RACOON! (Confiscated from "Trevor" on Facebook)

   Sending up prayers for healthy and happy days in your future.

 That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. 

cj

   Autographed print copies of my novels CHOOSING CARTER and DEADLY STAR are available at The Haunted Book Shop. Anthologies in which I have stories are also available there.

   You can place an order for any book by any author with them. They’ll be happy to ship it to you or as a gift to someone you love.

   And here's a tip to help you out: next Sunday is Mother’s Day in the U.S. and a book would be the perfect gift. It’s always the right size; it’s non-fat, non-carb, and gluten- and sugar-free; plus it doesn't need watering yet doesn’t turn brown and wilt in a couple of days. And it's reusable!

   TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: The Haunted Bookshop 

➜ Follow me . . .

➜         on Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page = https://amzn.to/2v6SrAj

➜         on Facebook at:   cjpetterson/author/facebook

➜         on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson