tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post1179868728574848185..comments2024-03-27T18:06:04.484-04:00Comments on Murder by 4: Interview with author John DeDakis by Marta StephensMarta Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-27166456762249427132008-11-10T10:59:00.000-05:002008-11-10T10:59:00.000-05:00Great work.Great work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-7848951801652314942008-02-26T17:10:00.000-05:002008-02-26T17:10:00.000-05:00While in Boston for the past two days, I passed ou...While in Boston for the past two days, I passed out fistfuls of my bookmarks everywhere - airport book stores, restaurants, a college, a streetside book vendor, and I always slip a few into the airline magazine in the seat pocket. ;o) Bookmarks are the best - I love having them handy when I go anywhere. Whoever I run into always walks away with bookmark. Great strategy!Aaron Paul Lazarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06117814221437165664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-84841408613851892122008-02-25T20:06:00.000-05:002008-02-25T20:06:00.000-05:00Hi Marilyn!! Thanks so much for stopping by and po...Hi Marilyn!! Thanks so much for stopping by and posting. I thoroughly enjoyed doing this interview with John. Now I must buy the book. ;)Marta Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-84327172332843283742008-02-25T19:58:00.000-05:002008-02-25T19:58:00.000-05:00Great interview! Enjoyed it.Marilyn http://fiction...Great interview! Enjoyed it.<BR/><BR/>Marilyn <BR/>http://fictionforyou.comMarilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179984154939161530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-42503893730212491592008-02-25T16:09:00.000-05:002008-02-25T16:09:00.000-05:00Hi John,I usually prepare an outline of the plot a...Hi John,<BR/><BR/>I usually prepare an outline of the plot and subplots so I know where I’m going with the story. I usually have a good idea of how it will end too, but even that depends on how the plot unfolds. Like you, I leave things flexible enough to allow for changes.<BR/><BR/>Another thing I find very useful is to write back stories for the new characters I add to the series. It's amazing the things I've learned about them – what was the life changing event in their lives that made them who they are now? That also leads to a better understanding of their motivation. I find it to be a great exercise. Character interviews work well too. <BR/><BR/>Talk about being flexible, I added a short scene at the beginning of the book that initially was meant to be a transitional scene. In fact, I had seriously thought of cutting it from the book because I wasn’t sure it would add to the plot. However, as the plot intensified, the characters developed, and their motives became better defined, that little transitional scene became a pivotal piece of the puzzle. It’s key to the plot and capturing the criminal. <BR/><BR/>I find the whole process of writing fascinating.Marta Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-34661099471009113892008-02-25T15:52:00.000-05:002008-02-25T15:52:00.000-05:00Good questions Marta and very interesting answers ...Good questions Marta and very interesting answers John. Loved the interview. I liked your handling of the bookmark in the elevator.Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03171630819400384478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-45035801798631914052008-02-25T15:41:00.000-05:002008-02-25T15:41:00.000-05:00I admire writers who can just sit down and "let it...I admire writers who can just sit down and "let it flow." I can't do that because it always feels like I'm spinning my wheels. I have to have an outline so that I know where I'm going. I can still change direction, but at least I have a goal.<BR/><BR/>Two books are indispensible to me: "The Weekend Novelist" and "The Weekend Novelist Writes a Mystery."<BR/><BR/>JDJohn DeDakishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12945341245161411771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-52530076078554329712008-02-25T12:22:00.000-05:002008-02-25T12:22:00.000-05:00Hi John, wonder if you would mind talking about th...Hi John, wonder if you would mind talking about the process you follow when you sit down to write new book. Some authors outline in detail while others write a brief synopsis type of outline and allow the writing to flow and change as the plot and characters develop. What works best for you?Marta Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-46484721932406853602008-02-25T09:47:00.000-05:002008-02-25T09:47:00.000-05:00Hi Marta, Aaron, Kim...I have been enjoying my vis...Hi Marta, Aaron, Kim...I have been enjoying my visits here to MB4 (coolest name) and eavesdropping on the chatter betwixt all you authors!!! Have just started reading Upstaged so can't stay long here! This is a great blog site...so informative but casual...love it!pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06922220649400289117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-6551178188799044442008-02-25T09:42:00.000-05:002008-02-25T09:42:00.000-05:00At Marta's suggestion, I put up a link on my blog ...At Marta's suggestion, I put up a link on my blog to yours. Mine is Lving In Humorland.<BR/><BR/>GailGail L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06043022235667424394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-77870977224300884612008-02-25T06:57:00.000-05:002008-02-25T06:57:00.000-05:00Thank you both for such an interesting interview. ...Thank you both for such an interesting interview. John, you certainly have piqued my interest in your book. Ah. Another one for the to-be-read stack! <BR/>KimKim Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13933746166088034102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-4128396422507422982008-02-25T06:51:00.000-05:002008-02-25T06:51:00.000-05:00Marta and John - thanks for this fascinating glimp...Marta and John - thanks for this fascinating glimpse into John's life and work. Fast Track sounds intriguing, I'm going over to check it out right now. I have a friend who's at this moment in Peru climbing Machu Picchu - I'll tell him to keep an eye out for Bluff when it is released. And thanks for the insight re. writing as a woman - I've been toying with the idea lately but wasn't sure I could pull it off. You've convinced me that it's not such a big deal, as long as my lady critique partners keep me in line! Thanks again and best of luck!Aaron Paul Lazarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06117814221437165664noreply@blogger.com