Searching for Millicent Hart

I’m Veronica Hart. My grandmother, Millicent Hart, is missing. She lives in the San Joaquin Valley just outside Fresno, CA. I’m sure she didn’t disappear of her own accord because she left without making plans for someone to take care of her dog. She’s 79 and the police seem to think she’s senile and just wandered off. But they’re wrong.

Fresno Police Detective Scott McGregor is assigned to the missing person’s case. Please contact him if you have any information about my grandmother.

Writing the Rails

My end-of-the-summer vacation was a weekend in Portland, Oregon sandwiched between round-trip segments of multi-day train rides. The gentle rocking of the train was conducive to nodding off and I dozed several times the first day. The second day I accomplished a bit more. Train rides are also conducive to looking out the window and daydreaming; I did a lot of both. No matter how often I travel by train, I never tire of looking at the scenery and getting glimpses of how people live their lives near the tracks.

I booked the train for the opportunity to write undisturbed by the interruptions of my normal life. Inspired by the trip, I ignored my pre-planned work agenda and laid out a storyline about a woman who was followed on a train.

Draft Submitted to Editor!

What a strange sensation! I just emailed the draft of “The Disappearance of Millicent Hart” to my editor.

I feel a mixture of subdued elation and numb disbelief, with a bit of shock throw in. I don’t think it’s quite sunk in that my very first novel has moved to the next step along its way to being published.

August 17 - Update

I had waited so long for the first novel to be finished so I could get back to work on the second, “Murder Goes on Vacation.” But after a day of almost not thinking about writing, I launched right back in… developing the characters and plotline for the eighth in the series.

Writer Support beats ‘Learning on the Run’

Being a new, unpublished, aspiring author, I’m just getting my feet wet in the writing and publishing world. I don’t know all the questions yet but I’m beginning to get a few of the answers.

Recently I ran across a local library’s ‘Writers and Aspiring Writers’ Meetup group online and attended an author talk featuring Anne Cleeland discussing ‘Creating Memorable Characters.’ Her talk and concept of the reader as a baby duckling needing to imprint immediately on the protagonist inspired me so much I rewrote the opening scene of my work in progress.

Today I joined the ‘Sisters in Crime’ national organization. They offer authors and aspiring authors support and resources including regional chapters and an online support and critique group for unpublished writers.

I still have a lot to learn but I’m feeling more confident every day.

Imagination, Persistence & Encouragement

The book writing journey starts with imagination but requires persistence to put ideas into a draft which is then revised and edited (numerous times).

Sometimes, though, life gets in the way of passion and the best laid plans. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I’m not able to incorporate all the beta reader feedback into my draft and submit it to the editor on schedule. But I’m not giving up. I can still see the finish line—it just seems to have moved, like a mirage.

Sometimes I need encouragement to get moving again. I can browse the draft and see how much I’ve accomplished but for that encouraging pat on the back, I text my biggest fan and supporter. (Thank you!)

Perhaps you know someone who needs a little encouragement.

Super Hero Update

Image from ClipArtUse.com

As beta reader (a.k.a., Super Hero) feedback begins trickling in, I can more clearly see problems that need to be addressed.

The feedback has identified sections of the draft that need clarification and other areas that need additional development. As an example, it’s hard for readers to care much about a two-dimensional main character. And that’s one of the reasons beta readers are so important. I’ve ‘known’ the characters for a year and they aren’t 2-D to me but the full depth of the character wasn’t portrayed in the writing.

Now I’m editing the draft (again) in preparation for submitting it to the editor in July. The crooked path that has been the creation of this book is straightening and I’m beginning to see the finish line on the horizon!

Beta Readers are Super Heroes!

Writing a novel for the first time can feel like walking a tightrope without a net. Without previous training or experience in creative writing, I haven’t known what to expect along the way. I’ve worked on The Disappearance of Millicent Hart on and off for almost fourteen months. Developing the plot and characters was exciting and rewarding—and for the most part—solitary. But editing the draft and knowing someone else will be reading it can activate self-doubt.

Fortunately, a new super hero is in town. Beta Reader to the rescue! Beta readers give feedback on the plot, characters, and scenes letting the author know what works and doesn’t work from a reader’s perspective. The feedback helps identify areas needing improvement. Imagine your beta readers as super heroes wearing capes and tights. (Or not, if you prefer.)

If your writing has stalled or you’re concerned your written masterpiece isn’t as masterful as you’d hoped, beta readers can help.