Marilyn's Musings

Thank you, Marilyn, for giving me the opportunity today to “converse” with one of my characters (yes— converse, not talk — to use my latest and rather proper protagonist’s vocabulary!). But Mitch Malone, Wendy Gager’s protagonist is already grilling my dear Margot Madison-Cross on her blog later in our tour. So when you, my friend and “guiding light,” asked me to interview one of my characters, I let Margot off the hook this time. I even gave my other protagonists—Hubert James Champion III, Jada Beaudine, and brother/sister Belinda and Bernard Jones—a pass. Instead, I decided to interview a “minor” character who appears in both Reticence of Ravens and in my current work-in-process, Counsel of Ravens . Neil Knight is in the hot seat today. Sometimes it seems, minor characters take on a life of their own! And Neil was one of those for me. He started as a foil for Hugh, and somehow, someway, he became a special… Thanks for stopping by Neil. In Reticence of Ravens , I ...

M. M. Gornell Drops by for a Visit It’s great visiting with you today, Marilyn! You’ve asked me what inspired me to write my latest book. Well, if you’ll indulge me, I’d first like to mention my initial inspiration for all my work. I’ve gone on ad nausea about this before—but it’s the truth, so I guess I’m stuck with repeating myself. Locations. For each of my novels, my inspiration and first kernel of an idea has come from a location that has reached out, grabbed me, and wouldn’t let go. Sounds a bit silly, and it’s not the whole story, but truly, so far, I’ve been inspired to start a story because a location said, “Me! Me! Write about me!” From the location, I’ve then wondered—who would have lived there, or come that way? What is their story? And in the case of my first, Uncle Si’s Secret—the compelling thought at a particular place along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail on my dog walks also kept returning—“What a perfect spot for a murder!” (Another reason why exercise is good fo...

Thank you, Marilyn, for hosting me on your blog! As you know, I enjoy reading your books very much—and your writing and promotions activities have been guiding lights for me. So, I’m especially pleased to be here and participating in this Mystery We Write Blog Tour. I’m also pleased to have the opportunity to talk about setting. As a reader, a key ingredient for my enjoyment of a book ( along with characters) is being “taken away.” For example, my favorite author is P.D. James. I just love being transported to her wonderful locations in Britain. And seeing London through the eyes of her protagonist Adam Dagleish (and others) are the most enjoyable reading experiences I’ve ever had. In my own writing, the first excitement and kernel of an idea for each of my books has come from a location that has reached out, grabbed me, and wouldn’t let go. I know that sounds “over the top,” and it’s not the whole story, but so far, my novels have started because a location said, “Me! Me! Write a...