Mystery We Write Tour: M.M. Gornell
What characters in the mystery/suspense genre inspired you?
I’ve gone on and on before about how much I like P.D. James, but not always said why. Her series character Adam Dagleish is number one on my list because he’s thoughtful, complicated, rather morose and has a true heart. Through Adam not only does P.D. weave a marvelous story, but also draws her reader in using complex sentences, challenging words (yes, she sends me to the dictionary occasionally), judiciously placed and sometimes lengthy descriptive passages, and most sentences are longer than eight words. Basically, writing that does not talk down, but inspires upward.
Foremost, never give up. And to paraphrase P.D. James: Increase your word power, read widely and with discrimination, write what you need to write, and waste nothing that happens to you—however happy, however tragic.
What book makes you say, 'Damn, I wish I'd written that'?
Actually, one that my book club has just finished called The Tragedy of Arthur by Arthur Phillips.
Leave a comment below for your chance to win a copy of Lies of Convenience or another M.M. Gornell novel of your choice. Winners will be chosen on Dec. 11. And be sure to visit Joyce Lavene's blog at this link for my guest post about choosing at setting for The Venus Trilogy.
Comments
Madeline
Before we whisked my stepfather to the hospital because he was bleeding internally, I remembered thinking "Blood really does have a metallic smell. I need to tuck that in the back of my head for future use."
Sad. But true. Writers will use everything at their disposal. Everything!
Marja McGraw
Thanks, Evelyn for putting LOC on your TBR list, sure hope you like it!
Anne, I can so sympathize and understand. Whenever I need to be re-energized, I look to P.D. for inspiration.
Yep, Marja, even little things sometimes--was in WalMart this morning getting get-rid-of-flu-juice, and I thought about the couple in front of me 'Have to use how they're acting somehow, sometime, somewhere..."
Jean, thanks for stopping by, I know you too are a busy lady and sure appreciate all your encouraging words and support!
Madeline
Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com
I really like your line... "and waste nothing that happens to you—however happy, however tragic". Excellent. I had an aunt who told me when I was in my teens that I couldn't be a writer, because I hadn't lived enough. Nothing bad had happened to me. Of course I was furious at the idea. But, she was right. In a way I'm not sad about the tragic events in my life--they become some of the gripping scenes of which I write.
Thank you for sharing!
Rionna
Wendy
Yeah, something similar happened with me Rionna, and I certainly have picked up a lot from "life." And the advice came from P.D. James--a wise author!
John, I'll have to read Egyptologist! Love my book club, gets me reading books I wouldn't otherwise try...
Jake, so glad you're following along on this tour--I so much appreciate your encouragement and kind words. Thank you!
Oh, Wendy, a psycho off his drugs--I'm scared and intrigued already! Thanks for stopping by!
Madeline