When Kim Smith, our infamous Murderby4 cozy mystery author calls the followers of this blog "my fellow murderers," I often smile. Today I thought about the subject a bit more, and I'd like to discuss it with you.
Okay. So we write murder mysteries. Lots of folks do.
Does that make us all murderers? Or potential murderers? Maybe it does. We do concoct some really elaborate plans to kill people. Sometimes they are brilliant, right? And we're very proud of those twisted, diabolical plots, aren't we?
Think about it. We murder our characters. We enable such foul deeds that in real life it would make you shudder.
Sometimes we invade the minds of our killers and it gets really creepy in there, doesn't it? We let them think nasty, horrible thoughts. We allow the villains to dream about killing the person they're obsessed with... and I hate to admit it, but it can be really fun in a sick sort of way.
If you knew me in real life, you'd probably say I was a gentle sort of nice guy. A true family man who loves his wife, kids, grandkids, animals, and gardens with passion.
But what about that killer who lurks inside?
Man, it's a little scary. Heck, I scare myself.
I still can't believe I got inside the head of a serial killer in HEALEY'S CAVE, and had fun doing it...
Okay, so how do you feel when you write about murder? How do you feel when you're inside your killer's head? Let us know below. We'd love to hear from you!
By the way, Happy St. Patty's Day! Hmmm, maybe we should have a murder in green today. Has anyone written a book yet called The St. Patrick's Day Murders? Sounds good to me!
Have fun and remember to write like the wind!
Aaron Paul Lazar
www.lazarbooks.com
4 comments:
I am an aspiring writer who cannot get away from writing murder mysteries. Even when I try to write fantasy or sci-fi I end up with someone being murdered.
I definitely worry about what prospective readers will think; when I enter my killer's point of view, I come up with things I never knew were in my head, let alone things I would want to share with people. I especially would hope that none of my friends or family think I am contemplating the actions of my characters. I don't think I am a murderer, obviously, but it does leave that question: is there something wrong with me?
This question keeps me from sharing a lot of my stories. However, when I do, even when they are gruesome, they are received very well.
Anyway, glad I came across your post today, it makes me feel less alone in my head!
Hi, Charlie. Great to hear from you. I feel exactly as you do. Sometimes I hesitate to give books to my mother or kids because they'll know way too much about how my imagination works! Of course we'd never actually do anything so horrific, but it can be fun thinking about it when you know it's not real!
By the way, you share the same last name as my publisher, Lida Quillen. Any relation?
Happy writing and come back soon.
Aaron
I agree! Killing your darlings has never had such double meaning. Happy st pats to all those Irish out there.
I love murder mysteries. I just don't think I'm great when it comes to writing them. Perhaps my imagination just doesn't stretch that far to create realistic villains.
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