Gregg E. Brickman, Mystery Writer
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Bits and Pieces

3/11/2014

9 Comments

 
For those of you who have followed my blog for a while, you know I originally called it Stuph & Junk.  That was in honor of my father, a weekly newspaper publisher & editor, who had a weekly column with that title.   Most of the columns consisted of short paragraphs of whatever interested him or was of local social or political interest at the time.

The problem is, of course, that the terminology doesn't transcend 40 years or so.  I posted a review of a book.  The author's agent complimented me on the review (hey, it was positive for her client) but slammed me on the blog's title.  Implying I had insulted the author by the title of the blog.  Who knew?  I guess Junk doesn't mean the same Stuph anymore.
-GEB-
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Check this out!  I was honored to be asked to speak for the American Association of University Women.  Murder on the Beach selects authors for their meetings.  It feels special to me because I've never been asked to be a luncheon author-speaker before.  I even sold a few books.  It was a beautiful day.  And I was in fine company.  Previous speakers included Elaine Viets and the beloved Barbara Parker.

The other speaker was Eliot Kleinberg.  He's a reporter for the Palm Beach Post and a history buff, having published nine books on Florida history and one historical novel.

I didn't know, for example, that German U-boats sunk cargo ships off the Florida coast during World War II.  He is an interesting speaker and was the first male guest EVER for the organization.

-GEB-
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I've started to contemplate my next novel.  I'm not quite ready to put my butt in the chair and write the first chapter, and I suppose that's because the plot isn't clear in my mind.  First the mind, then the butt.

I'm one of the writers who outlines a bit, trying to include colors to indicate point-of-view characters, high points, and clues.  This time I decided to make a storyboard to help with the planning.  I've used the technique before, filling the vacant space with colored sticky notes covered with outline points and special meaning.  (At some point, I'll type it all into a file and continue in that manner.  I do like to have a complete outline when I'm done.)  

As you can see, I haven't made much progress.  Which isn't exactly true.  Since I'm continuing with The Imperfect Series--it will be number 3, I updated my notebook, bringing continuing characters up to the present, and I hit the web for some rather heavy research.  The working title will be Imperfect Obsession.  I'll post another picture of the board when I get it filled up.

I attended SleuthFest 2014 a couple of weeks ago.  It inspired me to begin again.   Wish me well.

GEB
9 Comments
Lenore
3/11/2014 10:59:22 am

I finally have time to leave a comment rather than my usual ghost read and chuckle to myself; or my outburst of wow, she is so interesting. The she is you :) glad you are feeling good, enjoying your time and being recognized for your talents. Hoping to make time to see you soon!! Glad to see you have a new working title.

Reply
Grehh
3/11/2014 11:49:35 am

Thank you, Lenore.

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Gregg E. Brickman
3/11/2014 11:50:40 am

Good Golly, I type funny.

Nancy J. Cohen link
3/12/2014 12:30:00 am

I don't usually start writing until I have a complete synopsis. Plotting may take me a while, weeks actually, while the various pieces stew in my head until they all come together. You can't rush the process, but you have to go at it with a directed effort.

Reply
Gregg
3/12/2014 02:23:49 am

These are words of wisdom. (For those of you who don't know, Nancy has published 'tons' of books. She's an accomplished mystery and romance author and the current president of MWA Florida.)

Authors, it seem, run the gamut from 'seat of the pants' no outline and not advance plotting to detailed outlining, then writing from the outline.

With the help of my budding story board, I intend to kick up my outline for this one.

Thank you, Nancy.

Reply
Stephanie Levine
3/12/2014 09:48:09 am

Nice exciting news! Cannot wait until you start the new book, and we start getting those chapters. Congratulations to the American University Women on having you as a speaker. I bet they really enjoyed you!

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Gregg
3/15/2014 03:21:33 am

Thanks, Stephanie.

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June MacDonald
3/12/2014 10:46:29 am

I am so glad that you keep in touch. Thanks for letting me see your blogs and each one is great. I am excited for you and the success you are having as an author. You seem to enjoy it all even though it is hard work.

Reply
Gregg
3/15/2014 03:22:27 am

Thank you, June. And you're right, I enjoy the writing--the marketing, not so much.

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    I write mysteries about nurses doing extraordinary things.  I'm also a nurse, teacher, wife, mother, cook, enthusiastic reader, and citizen of the world.

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