Write What You Know

One of the things writers learn early on is to write about what they know. Toward that end, the setting for my first three Malone mysteries is the west side of Cincinnati, Ohio, my hometown. But, in my fourth book, Mistaken Identity, I decided that it was time for my characters (and me) to step outside of their comfort zone and travel to Fripp Island, South Carolina, an island I visited on vacation one year.

Even though I write fiction, I want my books to be as accurate as possible. So, whenever I travel, I pick up brochures, maps and any literature I can get my hands on – and I save it – because I never know when I’ll use it in another book. As we all know, places change constantly. Streets are renamed, buildings are torn down, etc. and, even though lots of information can be found at the library and online, having information on hand for the time period I’m writing about is worth its weight in gold. For example, one of the times I visited Charleston was in 2009, which is within the time frame for my series. Fortunately, I had gotten a street map, brought it home and kept it. Believe me when I tell you that that map is going to come in handy in a future book. 

When I write, I use settings I'm familiar with because I need to have a "feel" for a place in order to write about it. So, in Mistaken Identity, which will be published by Post Mortem Press in just a few months, I also used Charleston, Beaufort and Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, other places I’ve been. I do a good bit of research for my books too but, to me, nothing beats “hands on” experience. And I take lots of pictures wherever I go. (Go to “Places” under “Pages” on the right side of my blog to see several photos of locations that will appear in Mistaken Identity.) 

Serendipity

I love the word “Serendipity.” The dictionary’s definition is: the accidental discovery of something pleasant, valuable or useful. But, to me, the word also has a mysterious, almost magical connotation. Something good happens out of the blue. We didn’t expect it, we couldn’t anticipate it but there it is: a gift.

There are many reasons I love being a writer and, a few weeks ago, I wrote three posts on the subject. But, I neglected to mention one of the most wonderful, unexpected parts of being a writer: meeting and getting to know so many other writers who support and encourage me. I consider this a perfect example of serendipity. 

Writing is hard work and, by its very nature, it’s a solitary profession. We writers sit at our computers for hours on end, searching for just the right words to tell the story we’re trying to tell. We want our readers to get to know and care about our characters and we want them to become engrossed in the plots we create. So, a good part of the time, we’re inside our own heads.

But, as John Donne so aptly wrote, “No man is an island.” We weren't meant to go it alone in this life; we all need each other. So, when another writer reads one of my books and writes a glowing review, it means the world to me. Because only another writer can fully understand what it took to get my book from one small idea all the way to publication. I have been blessed to know several such writers.

Recently, something happened that put a big smile on my face. BookTown, a site I’ve belonged to for some time, featured the book cover for Unfinished Business, my second Malone Mystery, and two of my blog posts on their Facebook home page. I was surprised and thrilled! Another example of serendipity!

Thank you BookTown and thanks to all my writer friends who continually enrich my life!

Mystery of the Month: Moonflowers

Cora Taylor disappeared 54 years ago, and no trace of her was ever found. Now her sister has enlisted the help of Andrea Flynn and Kathleen Williamson in finding out what happened to Cora. The two are known for their ability to solve cases that are puzzling the police, and Mary Taylor is confident they can uncover Cora’s fate.

Andrea and Kathleen are doubtful they can find the answer Mary is looking for, but they decide to try. They start researching, and the case becomes more complicated when someone who was close to Cora, a likely suspect in her disappearance, is murdered.

The more the sister sleuths investigate, the more complex the situation becomes. How did expensive jewelry end up in Cora’s possession? Who knew moonflowers were poisonous and stole them from Andrea’s deck? Was the Mafia involved somehow, and what about the accusations against a jealous wife? And when a second suspect is murdered, are the sisters and Mary in danger, too?

To purchase: http://amzn.com/B00S5FNZIQ

 Helen Haught Fanick

Helen Haught Fanick grew up in West Virginia and now lives in Texas, and both states provide settings for her novels. Her work includes cozy mysteries, suspense novels, a World War II espionage novel, and short stories, all available through Amazon for Kindle. The novels are also available in paperback.

A short story impressed Helen’s fifth grade teacher, and she’s been writing ever since. She’s won several local and state awards and two national awards in the Writer’s Digest Competition. Moon Signs was a quarter-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. Helen is a graduate of UTSA and lives in Antonio with her husband.