I love mysteries. I like to read mysteries and I like to watch them on TV. Lately I have been thinking that I would like to write a mystery. After researching mystery writing on the internet, I have an idea for a character, but I have been struggling with developing a good idea for a plot. My main character is Vera Olive Gardner. She is a bit like me in that she is a retired teacher. OK, I admit Vera is a lot like me. Vera is a good problem solver and is adept at divergent thinking. She has the ability to see the whole picture and make connections and she has an unending amount of patience that was honed by years of dealing with junior high students. For the plot, the mystery writing sites recommend that novice writers "write what you know." I know nothing about murder and I don't really want to write about it anyway, so I need to come up with another kind of mystery. I need a plot where the protagonist is asked to answer a question or solve a problem that revolves around subjects I DO know, like teaching, cats, and senior issues. Unfortunately, these subjects are not necessarily gripping or mysterious. It was a stretch, but I finally came up with some "Little Old Lady with cats" style mystery scenarios (and matching book covers) using the not-so-mysterious subjects that Vera and I both know. It was fun to look at some of the ordinary experiences of my life from the perspective of a mystery writer. Who knew my life was so exciting? ![]() SCHOOLED IN DECEPTION Vera, a former teacher, is brought in to solve a rash of incidents at the local middle school. Who is stealing food from the faculty room refrigerator? Why are one third of the students missing pencils when asked to produce them for a writing assignment? What new educational theory will the unsuspecting staff be asked to incorporate into their already overloaded curriculum? When a student pulls out a fork and tries to attack another student in the foods class, Vera fears for the safety of the students and the teachers. ![]() DEATH OF A OPOSSUM When a mummified opossum is discovered during a remodeling project, Vera remembers that years ago she had been haunted by the smell of death coming from under her house. Mystery solved. ![]() THEY SEE AT NIGHT A tale that explores the darker side of cat ownership Vera lets out a blood curdling scream as she opens the front door. There, on the welcome mat, lies a dead gopher's head. Although she tries to seek shelter from the frightening vision by slamming the door and scuttling indoors, Vera is driven mad by the constant discovery of disgusting wet fur balls and the underlying mystery that always haunts a woman who owns more than one cat, "Who threw up?" SENIOR MOMENT MYSTERIES A series similar to Nancy Drew, but geared for older readers: ![]() VERA GARDNER AND THE LOST GLASSES Vera awakes to the knowledge that her glasses are missing and she has no way to find them without being able to put on her glasses, thus perpetuating a vicious and frustrating cycle. Little does she know, they are wedged between the mattress and the wall. ![]() VERA GARDNER AND THE LOST THOUGHTS Vera is caught up in a tangled web of confusion as she wanders from room to room in her house but is unable to remember why she went into that room in the first place. ![]() VERA GARDNER AND LOST PERCEPTION While out doing errands, Vera hesitates at a stop light. The scene looks eerily unfamiliar. For a brief moment she is plunged into a foreign world. Then, as she ponders "Where the heck am I driving?" her brain shifts into gear and she finds she is ready to continue on her journey. Of course I realize my plot lines need a bit more work but I am anxious to send Vera and her husband Arthur (did I mention she was married?) on an adventure. It's still a mystery to me what that adventure will be.
For more about Vera and Arthur, check out the writer's workshop page at the top of my blog.
1 Comment
Linda pace
8/16/2015 01:48:30 am
I'm anxious to read more about Vera and Arthur! Bravo!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Leslie Masona woman in search of her post-retirement future Guess what! By subscribing, you get notices about the latest Little Old Lady with Cats posts sent to your mailbox!
* * *
The Book Naked Little Old Lady with Cats A collection of Little Old Lady with Cats blogs * * *
WHAT IS A LITTLE OLD LADY WITH CATS - REALLY?
(from an entry posted on 5/1/2015) “I definitely fit some of the characteristics of a little old lady with cats: Retired - check, Single - check, Like to knit - check, Have cats - check. . .I do not want to get stuck in my Little Old Lady persona, however. In fact, this blog is a risk taking experiment in exploring and redefining what I want my retired life to look like.” Categories
All
Archive
June 2024
|