Sherlock Holmes, the most famous fictional detective, was the vehicle that Arthur Conan Doyle used to advance forensic science. The cases of Sherlock Holmes brought to the masses the value of logical deduction. From fingerprints to document and footprint analysis, this detective uses the clues to make a logical hypothesis regarding people's behavior and reactions in order to solve the case. That's the thing that always impressed me by about this character, the information he gains from clay on the bottom of a shoe or the way a document was written is so eye-opening you have to sit back in awe of how he put it all together. Of course, a lot of credit must go to the author himself because without his dedication to create a "science" detective, modern forensic methods would be sorely lacking.
My favorite forensic method would have to be document analysis. From a handwritten note, Sherlock Holmes can detect the gender of the writer and certain characteristics such as if the writer was in a hurry or a methodical planner. It really is amazing how much you can tell from someone's writing -- just think about it. Women write differently than men and if you're in a hurry, most likely, the writing will be less legible than if you're taking your time to write an important document. The place in which the document was written can also be deduced from an analysis of the writing. Of course, with the invention of email some of this art has been lost which, for me, is such a shame. Document analysis is such an involved forensic technique that the FBI created a separate section for it in 1932. Of course, document analysis was not always taken seriously, but thankfully, he has gained the creditability that it deserves. Readers may fall in love with a fictional character, but there comes a time when the author is ready to put that character to rest. It's hard to imagine that Arthur Doyle would ever get tired of his detective character, and in fact, that was the purpose of the story "The Adventure of the Final Problem". The readers just see an amazing character, but the author has to create the stories, do the research, plot out the story, and so I can see how one would become exhausted. However, Sherlock Holmes is the greatest detective, fictional or not, from his amazing logical dedications to his quirky character flaws. Modern forensic methods were brought to life by the most unlikely person -- a fictional detective created by a brilliant author, Arthur Conan Doyle. Until next time...
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I wanted to focus this blog post on Crime Scene Research. When writing one of my mysteries, I always have to particularly focus on one branch of forensics and this time it was crime scenes. The basic concept is that "every contact leaves a trace". So, there's no way to walk into a room without leaving a piece of you, no matter how small, behind. Crime scene investigators focus on four main things: (1) is something unique to the crime scene, (2) the evidence has a low probability of being there by chance, (3) is the evidence out of place from its surrounding, and (4) is it a physical match. Investigators use these to determine what was naturally at the scene and what was "brought in" from the crime. These four things really remind me of Sherlock Holmes, my favorite detective, who would gather multitudes of information by just observing the crime scene. What should be there, what wasn't there, or something odd in the room that nobody else noticed. It seems to me that a lot of things go unnoticed by the average person. Maybe that's because we are overloaded by information, emails, job stress, families, and etc. But, what would happen if we actually took the time to notice our surroundings...or perhaps you don't want to.
Crime scene investigators are the collectors and gatherers of all the crime scene evidence. Ranging from crime scene photos, to fingerprints, trace evidence, and other items that are part of the crime. Probably like many of you, I was a fan of the TV show CSI, and I always thought it was so fascinating how they processed the crime scene. So, I was a little disappointed when I found it how it really happens, but to my consolation, the actual science behind it still rather fascinating. My next mystery will focus on crime scene forensics and so the bulk of my research or 'reminder research' is on what is found at a crime scene. It still amazes me how much information you can forget, especially something as particular as forensics. I guess that's part of the thrill for me as a mystery writer. To research these things, utilize them in my stories, and have a believable mystery that readers will enjoy. So, the question is what has gone unnoticed by you lately? Until next time... Today's post is a restart for my blog. When I started this blog, I honestly wasn't quite sure what to do. I had seen from articles for being a self-published author that blogging was a good way to connect with readers, but there were really no good details for how to go about it. Recently, I came across a guide for authors on how to blog. I know some might think that's a bit silly, but if you've never done something before, you really need a guide. Anyway, so now that I know I've been falling short, now I can do better. I had no idea that there was so many steps or guidelines to blogging. I just assumed, wrongly, that you just posted whatever was on your mind.
So, for a new start my blog will focus on the different aspects of my journey as an author. Book reviews, book research, author updates, and really anything related to mysteries or solving crimes -- You will find information or my personal opinion on any of the above topics. I will try to post twice a week, but sometimes that's difficult when I have book project deadlines staring me down. I have to admit that I have enjoyed writing this blog and I wasn't sure that I would when I first started. It's kind of grown on me - a way to clear some space in my head by getting these things down. I don't know if anybody will see this blog or not -- I only want to share my thoughts. So, if it's just me and this screen or if others come along, either way, this is just another opportunity for me to write and that is good enough for me. Until next time... Well, for this post I have some disappointing news. After putting weeks of work into my audiobook version of Killer Deception, it seems that I am going to have to cancel the project. I have everything ready, all my files submitted, and my AI narrator voice selected, and now it's not going to happen. The publisher that I was using has "revamped" the audiobook options they are offering and the package that was used in my quote is no longer available. The price range of the new three options are above what I had budgeted, so I'm going to have to head back to the drawing board. Needless to say, I am very disappointed and a bit upset. I really wanted to add this format to my collection, but I guess that's the way it goes. At least I'll get my money refunded - I guess that's the upside to this. So, I'll be looking at some other options and maybe I can revisit this project in the near future. Now, I am focusing on my novel Tell Me Everything and moving up that project. The new plan is to release the large print version of No Good Deed in the fall and Tell Me Every next spring. I'm also close to writing my next two Kathy Hamilton mysteries, so at least I have material ready to move forward. Anyway, just part of the writing woes, I guess.
Until next time.... Just wanted to give a quick update on the Goodreads challenge I started last year. I knew that reading through the alphabet wouldn't be easy, but finding time to read has definitely been a challenge. So far, I've completed A - The Associate, B - Betrayed, C - Close Up on Murder, I - It Had to be You, and N - November 9th. I'm currently working on D, E, and F. It's a bit trickly trying to go in order, there's not always a book I want to read starting with that next letter. I also need to update my Goodreads page with these books, which will help my book total for the year. Right now, I'm trying to read Dream Town by David Baldacci. I've never read a David Baldacci book before, but I hear from a lot of people that his books are good...so we'll see. Anyway, still trying to finish my audiobook, proofreading my single novel, and outlining my next mystery. So, as usual, plenty to do...so I better get back to it.
Until next time... The blog post for this month is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I saw this writer video on YouTube, and it was talking about how if you wanted to write full time then just go ahead and do it. I'll admit that working and writing at the same time isn't easy, but I don't think it's as easy as they made it out to be. Or at least that was the impression that I got from it. I would love to write full time because that's my end goal, however, I think or it's best if I have a steady writing income first. That, of course, comes with time and so it seems that I'll have to balance the two until I get to a more financially secure situation. I've heard a lot of self-published writers talking about how they just quit their jobs and just starting writing full-time and somehow it all worked out, but I guess I'm just not there yet. It would be nice to have enough time to do the marketing and promotion that I would like to do, and that's hard to do when you're working 40 hours a week. I admit it is tiring and there's so much to do. When they tell you if you want to write, then write, they never mention all the other things that comes with it. I just want to create stories and publish books, not spend most of my time in marketing and bookkeeping, but I guess that's a gripe every self-published author has. Anyway, it is what it is for now, and I'll make it when the time is right.
Until next time... The post for today is thanks to some research I had to do for my new mystery book. I've used this book before for information about police procedures and detective information, but when I went back through it the other day, I was amazed at all the information I had forgotten or overlooked. It's amazing how you can read a book more than once and still learn something from it. I guess that comes from the fact that your brain can only absorb so much information at a time. Anyway, it was very helpful and sorted a lot of my questions out for my book. The part that I really find helpful is when it illustrates how the TV writers get it wrong and how it actually happens. Not that I'm looking to write a true crime story, but I would like to put a "real feel" into my books as much as possible. I've about got my story outlined and now I need to find some time to actually start writing it. Tell Me Everything is done, so I just have to get through the editing and finalizing all the details. The audiobook of Killer Deception is taking longer than I thought, but when you've never done something before it's hard to know how much time and energy it will take...but I'll get there eventually. Anyway, some projects are progression and others are getting there.
Until next time.... I have finally posted the reader review for Into the Storm on my website. I am so happy because of how great the review was. I have been waiting for the review sheet to be returned, and since it is hard to get readers to leave reviews, I try not to push too hard. I will say that reviews are so helpful to me, as an author, and they give me a boost of encouragement. Hearing what readers think of my books, fiction or non-fiction, is really important to me. The review was more thorough than I had anticipated, which turned out to be a nice surprise. So, if you're looking for a new devotional or if you're in the middle of a storm and you don't know how to handle it, then check out my book, Into the Storm as we walk through several examples. Click here to check it out.
Until next time... Just a quick update for today, I have finally finished typing my draft for Tell Me Everything. It feels like a weight is finally lifted off my shoulders. I didn't think I was ever going to get to the end. Now, that I've finished that, now begins the proofreading and editing phase. Not my favorite part, but necessary I know. So, the plan is to finish the Killer Deception Audiobook while this project is in the editing phase. I also want to get No Good Deed into large print this fall, which just takes a little formatting. My next mystery is also in the works. This one will be number six and I'm working on some book cover ideas right now. So, plenty of projects to manage and get finished. A lot of people ask me how I manage all this writing stuff, and really it just comes down to time management. You really have to keep your finger on it, or it will pile up and get away from you. Honestly, it really doesn't feel like work though - yes, there's a lot of "work" to complete one of these writing projects, but I enjoy it so much, it just feels amazing when I finally get a project completed. Anyway, just a few writing things I'm working on...so I guess I'll get back to it.
Until next time... I've been reading several articles, posts, and columns about the different aspects of being a self-published author. Most of them say the same thing, that a self-published author should be on social media, have a mailing list, turn out new material as often as possible, and somehow keep reading. I have to say that thinking about doing all these things is overwhelming and the one part of that list that is the hardest to do is the keep reading part, and that wasn't always the case. Reading use to be one of the easiest things for me to do, but when combined when all the writing requirements it tends to take a back seat. I feel like the writing part takes precedent, as it should, but I wish it didn't take so much effort. Anyway, I guess I'll take a break from what everyone else says about being an author and focus on my own list. Every writing journey is different, and there really is no 'one way' to do this. Writing still makes me happy and is what, I believe, I am supposed to do. I hope that I am able to write amazing stories for a long time, that would be my happily ever after.
Until next time... |
AuthorA North Carolina author who published her first novel, Killer Deception, in 2020. She doesn't profess to be a professional blogger, just a writer with many thoughts. Archives
July 2024
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