Clarissa's Research: Bats!

I often think of ways to kill people. Yes, I know, but I am a mystery writer. Well, the other day, while walking my dog, I saw bats. Yes, BATS, people!

*shiver*

Bats scare me, not because of how they look (and really, they are one of the most ugliest creatures alive--I don't even think a mother could love a face like that--thank goodness they're blind) but because of the desease they carry--RABIES!

That got me thinking, could I kill someone with a bat? What about a bat with rabies? Sadly, not plausibly. Only with a bat that looks like this.

Most bats do not feed on animals (except the Vampire species of bats) and even then, it's rarely fatal. Perhaps you could find a bat with rabies (although only found in 0.05 percent of the bat population) and get it to bite a human who would then die of rabies (if untreated) but really, there are easier ways to kill off a character.

Did you know? The unique properties of the vampire bats' saliva have found some positive use in medicine. A study which appeared in the January 10, 2003 issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, tested a genetically engineered drug called desmoteplase, which uses the anticoagulant properties of the saliva of Desmodus rotundus, and was shown to increase blood flow in stroke patients.

Do you like bats? Have you seen one? 

Source:  January 10, 2003 issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association
Pic Source: here

3 reasons to write like a... Director

Writers and directors have this in common--they both use scenes. However, although most writers write their scenes in the order they appear in the book, directors rarely film the scenes in the order they appear on screen.

Why not?

• Sometimes it's because of the actor's schedules or health or commitments
• Perhaps they only can shoot scenes in a certain location at a certain time

Sounds complicated. And it probably is. So why would a writer want to write like a director? I actually came up with some reasons:

(1) It improves our ability to write in scenes - we are often told it's better to write in scenes but many writers lament that it's hard, "I don't know where one scene ends and another starts in my novel." Well, when you write in scenes (and scenes out of order) you are forced to have a starting point and an ending point. You will focus more on the goal of the scene--the reasons for that scene. 

(2) The setting stays fresh in our minds - Let's say we write our scenes in order of location. Well, we have in our minds eye the location. We know where things are placed and if items are moved or changed in a previous scene, we're more likely to remember.

(3) It keeps your writing fresh - sometimes when we're writing and we get stuck, it's because we don't know where we're going with that part of the story, so move the story to a different time or location. Write all the scenes of a certain character (especially one you're jazzed about writing) or all the scenes from a certain location. It may take more planning but you may be surprised with the end product.

Have you ever done this? Do you think it will work for you? Why or why not?

Pic source: here

On A Happy Note...

I haven't posted in awhile. I've been happy just puttering around the blogisphere reading and commenting. However, my writing buddies--following a policy of comment for comment--come back to the same DEPRESSING blog post (about the shooting). I don't like to leave my blog on a depressing note so I'm going to post a quote about happiness and a happy picture! Tomorrow, I will have a more writerly post for y'all.

“Everybody in the world is seeking happiness – and there is one sure way to find it. That is by controlling your thoughts. Happiness doesn’t depend on outward conditions. It depends on inner conditions.”

- Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People

Pic Source: here

Night Two: Shootings!

Google today. You didn't want me to put pics of the shooting did you?

So I moved. We now live in what is known as a Privada (a secure neighbourhood with guards and gates). I thought now I'd feel safe...safer.

I unpacked the first day. I can't stand to have boxes around after the first night so I work really hard to unpack.I felt really good about the work I accomplished.

The next day, I cleaned, hung up some temporary laundry lines (shower rods across the wall) and some clothes.

Well, last night I was awoken by loud (really loud) bangs. It sounded like it came from the third level of my house (where the laundry room is) and I thought my laundry line had fallen and all my clothes. I don't know why I thought that, like falling clothes would ever make that kind of sound, but keep in mind, it was one-thirty in the morning. I raced upstairs ( you know the stupid thing you see people doing on TV when you're yelling "don't go there there's a man hiding behind the door!"--yeah, that's me, running to where the noise is coming from).

Fortunately, the noise was not coming from my house but down my street. The Mexican Army and the drug lords were having a shootout at my nearest convenience store! The newspaper article called it high powered weapons (I didn't hear any grenades) but the shooting must have lasted for ... well, minutes (but it felt like hours). Hundreds of rounds must have gone off, but, only four people were injured.

Needless to say, I didn't sleep well after that. It woke my son up, but all he said was, "that's gunfire, wasn't it." Sadly, he's heard it before.

On a happy note, I'm excited to finish my next book while I wait for my edits to got through my edits. I have a few bugs to work out in the plot and with characters, but I like the way it's going.

Have a great week, everyone!

Update

I've been crazy busy with packing and edits (I'm moving this weekend) so I'll be out of touch for the next few days. 

But, on a good note, I've finished my round of edits! Yay! Only like a billion more rounds to go!

Be back soon!

Four Reasons to Have a Writing Blog

There are so many writing blogs. In fact, I must have over 500 on my reader. And let's face it, we are writers and there are many facets of writing so really, there can be that many. However, if you're considering starting a blog and you want it to be about your passion--writing--here are some reasons to start yet ANOTHER writing blog.

(1) All writers are different - what works for you as a writer may not work for another writer but often writers fall into categories (panster/plotter, write-first-edit-later/edit-while-you-write) and your writing tips will ring true or help a group of writers somewhere.

(2) Right post at the right time - I have read some great articles on marketing lately but currently I'm in the editing stages so the posts I will usually read thoroughly are the ones on editing. When I first started writing, I gobbled up the writing articles. And, hopefully someday soon, I will devour any marketing articles I come across because that's the phase I'm in. Writers are always in different phases and so differnt articles will always appeal to someone out there. Even if it's been said before.

(3) It's motivational - I don't know how many times I can read a post about writing or editing--and it will be advice I've heard before hundreds of times--and get off my lazy heiny and write. Thank you, bloggers!

(4) You'll regret not doing it - Someday, after your 50th book, you'll be asked by your publisher to write a memoir or book on writing. Or, you'll be asked a question about your writing life and be glad you wrote it down on your blog. Because, if you're like me, you can't remember what you did last week or remember where your coffee cup is... oh, found it. Remember, people, it's a blog--a weB LOG--a way to keep track of your progress, not only for your crazy stalker fans but for you. How many months did it take you to write the first draft of your first book? You'll know if you kept a log. How many agents did you query before you landed your first contract? You'll know if you kept a log. How naive were you? You'll know if you kept a log.

So, Stardate 12058.3 (and yes geeky fans, this is based on the actual Trekkie formula), Clarissa wrote a post about writing and as of this date, she's on the millionth ninth round of editing her first book (nearly at the end of the round--only two days left) before a few final edit rounds. Take that, memory!

What reasons have I forgot? Why do you blog?

Pic Source: here

It's All Fun And Games...

The blogfest master Alex Cavenaugh is having another fun day! This time we're suppose to list our three favorite games.

(1) Myst - Myst is a graphic adventure video game that puts the player in the role of the Stranger, who uses a special book to travel to the island of Myst. There, the player uses other special books written by an artisan and explorer named Atrus to travel to several worlds known as "Ages". Clues found in each of these Ages help reveal the back-story of the game's characters. The game has several endings, depending on the course of action the player takes.

(2) Bridge - After reading about the card game Bridge in many Agatha Christie novels as a youth, it's been a desire of mine to learn. Well, my parents took up bridge and taught me and my husband. It's as fun as I thought. I mean, I play a lot of different card games but Bridge is the best because it's the most challenging. Bidding and playing off your partner's hand is a skill I'm still trying to master.

(3) Horseshoes - This brings back a lot of memories for me. Every family reunion, horseshoes was played. It's a silly game really, you try to aim a horseshoe so that it lands around a metal stake in the ground. But I loved it. And I wasn't bad at it either.

What are your choices?

Book Review: In The Mirror by Ann Best

IN THE MIRROR, A MEMOIR OF SHATTERED SECRETS
Writer: Ann Carbine Best
Challenge: None

Kindle: here
Genre: Memoir
How I read it: Kindle

Synopsis: It is the memoir of a woman who planned on her marriage lasting forever. When Ann marries Larry in September of 1961, she’s certain he will be that eternal companion. Eleven years later, she is devastated to learn that he’s been having affairs with men. She wants to help him. She wants to save her marriage. However, powerful emotions pull Larry away from his family, and eight years later their marriage ends. As a single parent, Ann is now faced with four grieving children who don’t want to leave their father and their home in Utah Valley. But Ann needs to start a new life in a new place. In the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Ann at last makes peace with the past. . . .  ~Colleen Whitney, retired English professor

My Thoughts: I never really read memoirs until these last two years because I always thought fiction would be more exciting. How wrong I was. Seriously, I couldn't put this book down--I read it in two days. And, I knew about her life from her blog!

It's a memoir so don't expect happy endings or even closure but expect it to make you look at your life and your choices. Expect it to make you see how your life and your marriage choices can impact your children. 

Here is one of my favorite parts:

I've Started A Bookclub!

I've always wanted to be in a book club: read books, drink coffee, eat cookies, discuss the meaning of life (or whatever the book is about), have a secret handshake...

However, I could never find one in my area.

And now that I live in Mexico it's even more difficult. SOOOO, I decide to join an online bookclub. It WAS a fantastic idea. I found a classic mystery book club on Goodreads and joined. The first month was wonderful! I owned the book the group read and got involved in the discussion. THEN, the next months book club selections came out and I owned none of the books. They were not even available for Kindle. That means it's impossible for me to obtain the books.

Sadly, I was no long involved in a book club.

Then I thought, why not start my own book club. I would make sure that all the selections were INEXPENSIVE and on KINDLE (or KINDLE FOR PC).

CHECK OUT MY BOOK CLUB!

Oh and please join --even if you don't want to participate-- it would make my day!