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Musings From Munsch – Top of the Morning to You

Top of the morning to you, and top o’ the rest of the day for some good Irish reading.

Since it is the month of St. Patrick, I thought it would be a good time to muse about some Irish mystery writers and some writers who write about Ireland.

Tana French

The first name that jumps to the head of the line is Tana French, who penned the Dublin Murder Squad books. The first book in the series, IN THE WOODS, is excellent. The ensuing books in the series feature a different protagonist in each, but are tied together since this person appeared in the book previous as one of the noticeable characters, but definitely not the lead.

Ken Bruen

Many years ago, my daughter and I visited Ireland on a short trip. We dashed from Dublin to Galway on the train, which took a blink of an eye to go from one coast to the other. Ireland is, after all, about the same size as the state of Illinois. We explored Galway. After we returned home, I discovered author Ken Bruen, who is from Galway and sets his books there. The first one, THE GUARDS, introduces us to Jack Taylor, an alcoholic ex-Garda who solves problems. The books were very successful and made into movies starring Ian Glen as Taylor.

Adrian McKinty

Adrian McKinty was born in Northern Ireland, but now lives in Australia. He drew on his heritage to write a series of books featuring Sean Duffy, a Catholic cop in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Each time before Duffy gets in his car, he stoops down to study the undercarriage in case there is a bomb. This award-winning series is definitely worth your time.

Stuart Neville

Another Irish author whose books are set during the Troubles is Stuart Neville. THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST is an award-winning book worthy of your time.

Irish Cozies

The aforementioned authors do not write cozies, which have become the better selling sub-genre of mystery. Irish cozies pepper the bookstore shelves and customers devour them in stacks. A good browse and you will discover that not only do Irish authors write about Ireland, but a plethora of American authors have discovered the Emerald Isle as a setting. These authors’ protagonists live abroad, working in a variety of occupations, but always stumbling upon a body or two which dot the beautiful countryside and graveyards. At this rate, Ireland may decide to close its borders to Americans for fear the homicide rate will rise as its visitors ramble around the cities, towns and villages. Some of the authors to look out for are: Carlene O’Connor, Cathie Murphy, Sheila Connelly, and Dicey Deere among others.

Brew yourself a ‘cup o’tae’ or pour a bit of Jameson to sip as you turn the pages of any of these wonderful works. Sit back and let the leprechauns peek over your shoulder.

 

 

Writing Hints From Lorena Peter

One of the best ways to learn more about writing is to talk with other, hopefully more experienced, writers.

Conferences offer opportunities to hear about the various aspects of the craft. In one such panel I attended, a member of the audience asked if reading about a place or activity on the Internet or in books was as good as actually visiting the place. Members of the panel suggested going to a place, or learning how to do what you write about, enables you to see, smell, hear, feel, taste the setting of the story as well as meet people who might end up as characters in your story. Your experience will help you build a setting that “feels” real to your reader. After all, a writer, as a keen observer of people and places (most writers are), you can get a feeling for an individual’s cadence and the energy he exudes, in addition to his physical attributes. The old trope of writing what you know applies in this situation.

I was on a panel with a woman who spent six weeks of her life studying divination with the Tarot cards when she only wanted to use specific cards as threats in her story. By studying the process, she was able to make those threats have the feeling of reality. She was to develop the energy of the threat in addition to the specific cards.

From my own life ~~ a friend in Florida used to describe how he loved sitting in his lanai for hours watching butterflies in his Monarch Garden. I heard his words, but I didn’t get what he was saying.  Now, I feel untold joy as I watch the Sandhill Cranes in my own backyard. I get a feeling much like what I feel when I hold a new baby and so I have spent time making “friends” with my new pets~~ five-foot tall winged friends! When I want to write about the experience, my description will cover all of the senses to bring my readers into the scene.

Additionally, some readers might miss the emotional importance of an event if they have not experienced it themselves. In that situation, the writer helps them along by describing more common experiences to which the reader might relate. Or s(he) might describe the feeling in more physiological details as in “racing heart” or “a catch in my breath as the tall fella looked at me through the glass of my storm door. He stood only feet away from me, turning his head from side to side to alternate eyes to inspect me. He was so tall that I practically looked directly into his eyes as he studied me. Now I understand the meaning of the term breath-taking. I also feel a stronger heart connection with other beings of this planet.”

As I write these thoughts, I realize how much more interesting my own descriptions could become if I actually applied these observations. Thanks for letting me solidify these thoughts.

Mind Your Business – Create a QR Code

Why a QR Code?

Many readers are interested in reading ebooks on their phones or iPad these days. Others enjoy listening to audiobooks while driving, working out, doing housework or just relaxing. Those fans also attend functions like book fairs where they can meet and shake the hand of authors, get to know them personally and learn what is new in their literary journey. They may not buy a signed physical book by you at that time, but they might if you can give them access to a way to buy the non-physical version they prefer right then and there.

You have a book they can buy, but if they’re not interested in the print version, you’ve lost a sale. Once they walk away from your table, there’s very little chance they will purchase that book. Life gets in the way, and they forget all about it.

The QR code is the answer to your dilemma of how to provide them instant access so they can do it immediately. A QR code instantly puts them in touch with the version of your book they want to purchase—while their urge to buy is immediate.

How do You Create a QR Code?

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial, showing you how to do just that on your PC. The process is similar but slightly different when done on an iPad or phone.

On Your PC

Go to your retailer page for the book in question. In the top blue lined box is the electronic address for this page. To the right inside the box is a square. Click on that box.

 

The QR code appears. Download it and save it to a file, where you can access it later for marketing purposes. Do this by clicking the three black dots on the right. A dropdown appears. Click Save As and file it in the location of your choice.

 

 

The same dropdown that allows you to save the file, allows you to copy it as well. Copy it and paste it to a Word document. You can now print it out and take the printout to events, so customers can buy their version from you immediately through the distributor you’ve linked them to.

Via iPad

This process is slightly different when done via an ipad. The dropdown looks like this. Click it. You see the dropdown with icons. Select the bottom one with FOUR squares in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The QR code comes up. Save it to your file. Copy and paste it into your document. You are good to go.

Member News – February

Lynn Slaughter

Check out Lynn Slaughter’s essay on the importance of backstory  on hastybooklist.com:

Also, Lynn and Ellen Birkett Morris gave a delightful talk at Jo-Beth’s bookstore. Lynn and Ellen were superb, talking about their writing process, and reading from their latest novels. Well done! Susan and Elaine drove down to show support, along with Miss Whitney Vale (Susan’s sister).

Lynda Rees

DRS Member and Author, Lynda Rees, The Murder Guru, will be teaching The Business of Publishing workshop online for the Womens’ Fiction Writer’s Association, classes from April 20-30. It’s only $20.

Lynda is also honored to have been selected to help judge as Unpublished Category Coordinator for the Kiss of Death, Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery / Suspense contest. You DO NOT have to be a KOD or RWA member to enter. This year short stories are a new category! Entry information is in the graphic below.

Mystery With a Splash of Bourbon

Mystery With a Splash of Bourbon

The Kentucky Derby Museum recently ordered 36 copies of our anthology to stock in their gift shop.  And they just told us that, instead of doing consignment, which we have been doing the past 6 months, they will now buy outright! Great news, and much easier to keep track of. We hope we get more orders from them as the Derby approaches. Fingers crossed!
Also, in January, Susan and Elaine dropped off copies of the anthology to Keeneland and the Kentucky Horse Park. Sadly, Keeneland said no. We haven’t heard back from Kentucky Horse Park. NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED!

Musings From Munsch – Richard III

A few weeks ago, I was talking with Miki and she mentioned reading The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. This stirred up long-forgotten memories of my introduction to Tey’s seminal work. I was a freshman in college (ancient history now) and my English teacher, Sister Josepha, recommended this book. We had been reading Richard III (“Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this son of York.”) by Shakespeare.

If you have not read (and why not?) The Daughter of Time, published in 1951, it features as its protagonist Inspector Allan Grant, a bedridden patient in hospital. To cheer him up, his friends bring him a variety of books. When a friend brings him a portrait of Richard III, Grant begins his research into the hunchbacked king and his era. Long story short, he does enough research to question the long-held version of Richard, believing the ‘bad’ king could have been a ‘good’ king, had he lived.

This book sent me on my own quest to discover the real Richard. Somehow in the pre-Google age, I connected with the American branch of the Richard III Society, dedicated to clearing Richard’s name. And then, lo and behold, I joined like-minded Ricardians to form the Ohio chapter.

Most of the members lived in one of the Ohio ‘C’ cities: Cleveland, Columbus, or Cincinnati. We organized ourselves, agreeing to meet quarterly, traveling up and down I-71. We established a newsletter, all the trappings of a chapter.

I don’t remember all their names, but what an interesting group of people. Tom, a history teacher, was a culinary expert in medieval foods. He would bring ‘desserts’ to the meetings. Another was a member of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). He made his own chain mail, not as easy as knitting a sweater. At every meeting one of us would present a short paper on an aspect of medieval life or the life of Richard. Very intimidating for such a dilettante as myself, but I always made a decent showing in spite of my shaky knees.

Our chapter was asked to host the Annual General Meeting. Quite the honor. Naturally, I volunteered to organize this event with the help of another member. And that we did. Held at the Marriott in Cleveland, Tom, the culinary expert, worked with the hotel to provide a medieval feast (without throwing bones on the floor). Everyone donned their costumes and we spent the weekend back in the fifteenth century. A grand night indeed.

Many years later, my daughter and I made a trip to York, England, where we visited the Richard III museum, a very moving experience.

I cannot close without mentioning a most beautiful book about Richard. The Sunne in Splendor, written by Sharon Kay Penman, is a meticulously researched book about the ‘hunchbacked king.’ Penman insisted authors who wrote of historical events and personages should adhere to the facts or acknowledge the bending of them. As well as penning volumes close to one thousand words each, she also created the Justin de Quincy mystery series set in medieval times. My recollection is that she was a Sister in Crime, one I sadly never had the opportunity to meet. Sadly, she passed away in 2021.

The Daughter of Time sent me on a mysterious journey. I became a member of the Richard III (say who?) Society and, in a roundabout way, to the Sisters in Crime (say what?). And I’ve had a roaring good time along the way.