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CRIME WRITERS' & READERS' thread.....everyone welcome...
Crime fiction seems to be the genre where I feel most at home (I'm not a criminal!) and produce my best stuff, and I know there's quite a few others out there who've mentioned crime writing in other threads, so I thought it may be pertinent to have a thread dedicated to the subject.
A friend of mine, called Matt Hilton, has recently clinched a five book deal worth approximately £million with Hodder, and his first book, 'Dead Men's Dust,' is out next June. So, although some people still frown upon this subject (apparently), it's still one of the most popular genres around.
My favourite novelist at the moment is the 'pacey' Simon Kernick (this will probably change next June!).
Tell us your favourite(s) and what your personal aspirations are and feel free to clarify any problems you have while writing, as I'm sure there's enough like-minded writers on here to move each other closer to our dreams!
Comments
Any takers?
Crime fiction is THE bestselling genre followed closely by romance. Apparently the literary snobs look down on it, but when it's done well it has the scope to probe the darkest corners of human nature.
My favourite authors are Ian Rankin and Val Mcdermid. I'm currently reading Die For Me by Karen Rose (but that might go out the window next Saturday when the third Eragon book is published.)
As for personal aspiration, I would like my readers to be hooked from first word to last. Although I tend to write more psychological thrillers than classic mysteries, because I am far more interested in motive. One of my reviews on YWO was 'I never thought of a killer being just as scared as the victim before' so I was well chuffed with that - mission accomplished!
ColB i think its a great idea to have a thread.
I could do with some tips on layering sub plots. So far i've got all the obvious people issues sorted out but i was thinking it seems alittle shallow. I wanted to throw the trail away from the murderer by creating more characters with motives. Has any one got some advice for me on how to construct it and what authors are good at the moment, as in france i dont get to browse the bookshelves!
:)
Moving swiftly on...congrats on your accomlishment. I'm currently looking at books by the both the authors you mentioned staring down at me from my vast collection. Will give 'em a go based on your recomendation.
I should have added that I've read Martina Cole's stuff and it just didn't ring true for me, but she's coining it in so the masses are buying it.
Okay, so you're more for the trad. mysteries then? Is it cosy or hard boiled? If things feel a little shallow, I would recommend making things a bit more psychological.
Motives are hard, it took me a long time to find mine. It just happened while watching an episode of Wire In The Blood (resulting from a sub plot) and I started thinking what would happen if a father wanted revenge for his son's murder by a known paedophile? What would happen if a judge had let that paedophile walk free from court, despite being found guilty? How would he take revenge? How could he truly get revenge for losing his son?
My best advice is let you imagination go wild!
I'm trying to think of authors who write the kind of 'Midsommer Murder' storylines, and I'm failing! I'm about to go for a shift at Oxfam (bookstore), I'll take a look for you (be back about 5-6pm)
Read 'Scene and Structure' by Jack M Bickham. This will point you in the right direction. After I'd read it I felt compelled to write him a thank you letter, but when I looked him up, I found that he had passed on.
Or you may want to read something specific to subplots, but they are covered in many 'How to' writing books. But you can't beat just writing what you think and things will develop from there.
Does Dorothy know about the creme de la crime competition being judged by Mark Billingham. Surely she would be interested?
Col. B could u help me with my query on my new discussion? About poisoning story I am doing
I would recommed Val McDermid's 'Killing The Shadows' (crime writers getting killed off in the manner that they have killed characters in their books.) I'm also hoping to go an author event with McDermid on Thursday.
I would like to try a Mark Billingham, but don't know where to start. Any recommendations?
I'm just off to work, but will check it out tonight.
Catch you all later.
;)
Stephen Booth, he's in Derbyshire. He did a talk about six years ago. He worked on a newspaper previously.
Though it is not my genre, I enjoy watching crime stuff- though don't like the too gory stuff- Val McDermid is not my idea of viewing pleasure.
Also, A Place of Execution is due to be televised.
I am late getting to TB this morning, due to disasters at work, the accounts/despatch girl has been fired. Guess who got lumbered with the job, on top of the job. I have spent the morning clearing and tidying an office, so I can find things, looking for instructions on how to use the credit card terminal then learning to use said credit card terminal, packing orders ... I am a bit weary and already doped up with migraine medication. I will get there. Going off for lunch shortly, a break, then back to start over again, orders to be logged on, an order to be tracked down, learn how to close down the credit card terminal at the end of the day's banking ... to quote an American friend, will someone tell me when I am having fun ...
And that is the important point that so often gets forgotten- whatever genre.
Caro,
Matt is obviously well chuffed and extremely busy now, but also very level-headed about the whole thing. If you or anyone else wants to know more about his story (& stories) follow this link...
http://www.matthiltonbooks.com/
Not my kind of crime novel, congrats to him anyway.
Yep, the agent's wife found his manuscript on the slushpile and loved it (why did the agent miss it though? He mustn't look at them all, I guess).
Caro,
Amazingly Lee Child heard about Matt's success and actually phoned him! Matt was gobsmacked apparently. Mr Child is writing a brief 'recommendation' (or mini-review) on the first book's cover I believe. And, yes, Joe Hunter sounds like a character who could have a long lifespan.
Im just reading Michael Robotham 'Shatter' at the moment which I think won an crime thriller award. Karen Rose seems to be another favourite of mine too.
I did start out by writing a few paragrpahs of crime writing. I was trying to work out how I would injure a certain character in one of the paragraphs but after a really bad day I just chucked the poor girl in the machine and she ended up dead!!!!
I am a nice person really!!!!
:)
Suzi, when you've finished reading Shatter I would love to hear your thoughts. I felt it was a bit obvious, by page 200 I was thinking 'I know where this is going' so I flipped to the back, and yep that was exactly where it was going. I'm starting to read Karen Rose, unfortunately my copy of Brisingr is due to arrive Sat morning!