When You Wish Upon A Star

It's that time to reflect on the year past and look forward with hope to what the new year might bring.

I was telling a friend just the other day, "Life is good." I'm happy, have friends, and my health is good. Nearly anything on top of that is gravy. I keep busy with my writing. I'm convinced it keeps my mind alert, since keeping complicated plots straight in my brain takes a lot of effort.

Life is a mystery, since we never quite know what might be around the bend for us. It's probably best that way... but it adds excitement and trepidation at the same time.

As 2015 began, I was facing major surgery to correct a hernia I'd had since emergency appendix surgery in 2010. All went well, and I've recovered nicely. I visited with my mother (in the Pittsburgh area) a few times, got up to Minnesota to see my sister and her family, had several visits with my brother and his family, visited with my father-in-law as well as sister- and brother-in-law. I had a few visitors to my Florida condo, including my best friend who came for a whirlwind couple of days at Disney World. I made a couple of improvements to my place, including adding new carpet. It feels like home. I also had the chance to visit NYC and take in a couple of Broadway shows.

In my writing life, I published two more Brad Frame mysteries this year - FINAL JUROR and EMBALMED. I wrote a new Christmas short story. I attended a conference sponsored by the Florida Writers Association where my novel LADY ON THE EDGE was a finalist for a Royal Palm Literary Award. I've also become active with a group of Central Florida Mystery Writers who meet monthly for discussions about the craft of writing, as well as the business of writing. Several of us formed a critique group, which I appreciate as well as my local critique group in Celebration, Florida.

What will 2016 hold for me? A good question. I'm working on a new standalone suspense novel. It's called COLD OATH. I'm excited about it, but it's not even half done, so stay tuned.

In July, I will be performing my one-man Ben Franklin play at PACA in Erie, PA. I'm excited about that and am pursuing other performance possibilities for the play.

For more specifics, keep reading this blog. :-)

Best wishes to each of you for what I hope will be an exciting 2016.

What Do Readers Want - Part 2

A few weeks ago the topic of my blog was "What do readers want?"

Several people were kind enough to comment and I'm using this blog post as an opportunity to share those comments.

I bought books as a Christmas present this year, and I reached out to the person I was buying for to see what they liked to read. Much better to get them what they wanted than have a book languish on their coffee table.

A reminder that I now have TWO holiday themed stories:

The Spirit of Christmas

A Visit from Saint Dominick

If you missed my earlier post on what readers want, please feel free to add YOUR comments below:

Here's what others have said:

What I look for as a reader is an escape from reality. Sometimes this means another time period, as in historical romance and historical mystery. Or it might mean an escape to other worlds with scifi/fantasy. For mysteries, I prefer light, funny cozies because I know the crook isn't always caught in real life and bad things happen. Cozies provide justice in a manner where the crime scene is offstage and the focus is on interpersonal relationships. So I look for an escape into a book with a happy ending.

I'm another cozy fan and look to media, in general, for relaxation and escape. I want to like the characters I'm reading about. Okay, you have to have some characters be pains in the tush, be mean and/or evil. But I hate it when a main character is whiny and constantly complaining.

Someone else (I forget who) said it well: We want a book to take us to places we want to go with people we want to be with. Those places and people will be different for everyone but with enough overlap to make some books very popular. As a cozy writer, I populate a small town with pretty likeable people (I hope.) But as a reader I'll spread my wings a little and choose cozies, thrillers and plenty in between. Cerebral detectives work very well for me :-)

I like a fast moving book with good dialogue and minimal prose and description. If I'm reading a mystery I want a good puzzler. In historical fiction I like to learn a lot about the era.

I like stories with a dark atmosphere, quirky humor and some supernatural/sci-fi elements. I like stories with fast-paced dialogue that moves the story along and are also satirical.

I love a "feel-good" story.When I am smiling and happy at the end of a book, my whole day or evening just feels better. Those are the books that I remember, and those are the types of books I gift to others. With all the hate, violence, and corruption in our real life world today, just reading something that is warm and sweet makes my heart smile.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

December has arrived, which means that Christmas is only a few weeks away.

This year, as a gift for all of my readers (or prospective readers), I'm sharing this new story. It's called "The Spirit of Christmas."

It imagines the challenges of a man going through his own midlife crisis as he contemplates telling his nine year old son the truth about Santa Claus.

Here is a link to the FREE story: THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Please feel free to share it with your friends.

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!

What Do Readers Want?

The title of this week's blog is certainly a "loaded question." If writers could divine what readers want, we'd all be best sellers.

And even those writers who can boast "best selling author" in their profiles didn't necessarily start out to craft a book with the likes of their readers in mind. They started with a story they wanted to tell. Word followed upon word until their story was concluded...then time to introduce it to the world.

The best advice I ever saw on this subject is that I should write what I like to read. If I like it, then surely there will be a group of readers for whom my work will tickle their fancy. :-)

Most of my books are part of my Brad Frame mystery series. In Brad Frame's world I've created a detective, his assistant, his colleague, his love interest, quirky relatives, and defined the world in which he lives. The premise of my series is that Brad Frame led an aimless life until his mother and sister were kidnapped and murdered. He helped solved their crime, then paired with Philadelphia police detective Nick Argostino to open a detective business to help bring justice to others. I located Brad Frame on an estate in Bryn Mawr, PA (outside of Philadelphia). His approach to solving crime is cerebral. I always enjoyed reading whodunits, and so I chose to write them. Brad has his likes (model trains) and as with all characters, he has his own idiosyncrasies.

What becomes different about each of my books (6 in the series so far) is the locale, from a hospital in Philadelphia to a beach community on the South Carolina coast. Putting my detective in different places with a different crime to solve is what helps me keep the stories fresh (even with the same cast of characters). In FINAL JUROR, I even put Brad Frame in a jury box. If you are unfamiliar with the series, I hope you'll give it a try. Although it is a series, each is intended to stand on its own, and they don't need to be read in a particular order.

Okay, it's your turn. In the comment section below, tell me what you like as a reader. Pull back the curtain on your own likes. After all, Life's a Mystery!

Embalmed - Latest in the Brad Frame series

My latest Brad Frame mystery has been out for about two weeks.

As a self published author, once I complete the writing process I share the manuscript with a line editor so that it is in the best possible shape on grammar and punctuation. I also share a "proof" with trusted beta-readers. They are the first people to discover the story from beginning to end (my critique group sees it in small pieces - one or two chapters at a time).

Those beta readers share their thoughts with me about the book. If they are confused about a particular scene, then I revisit that passage to eliminate the confusion. It is a process that has served me (and hopefully my readers) well.

For those of you who have read any of the Brad Frame mysteries, you are familiar with Nick Argostino. He is the Philadelphia police detective who is a friend and mentor to Brad Frame. In EMBALMED, Nick is in trouble and Brad and Sharon step up to help. Each story affords me the opportunity to expand upon Brad Frame's world and share new information and discoveries about those with whom he associates.

There is a bit of a Halloween vibe in the story, so it was great to get it published in October - although it can be enjoyed at any time.

I dedicated this book to my best friend, Kevin Filippelli. We met back when I lived in Harrisburg, PA and he was in nearby York, PA. He has since moved to New Jersey and later to Las Vegas. Thanks to e-mail and phone we are able to stay in touch. But this past weekend he was able to visit and we had a long weekend of catching up and enjoying trips to the various Disney World parks (including a couple he hadn't previously visited). His visit enabled me to hand him an autographed copy of the book.

Here's a link to the opening chapter of EMBALMED.

Florida Writers Conference

This past weekend I attended the Florida Writers Conference. It was held in a Hilton Hotel in Altamonte Springs, north of Orlando. There were four hundred writers in attendance, so we all shared the common goal of wanting to learn more in order to be able to improve our craft.

I've been a member of the Florida Writers Association since last October. It was through them that I located a writers' critique group that meets weekly within 10 minutes of where I live. Although I'm the only mystery writer among that small group, we help each other with common issues of communication... assisting us in bringing the best of our writing skills to the forefront.

At the conference, it was great to meet an even wider circle of people who write mysteries. A few were from among those I've gotten to know during my involvement with the Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. Others I met for the first time. I'm sure we will continue the connections we established via e-mail.

The conference organizers deserve credit for a packed agenda. I'm an early bird, and they had "genre" tables starting at 6:45 a.m.

Each year, the Florida Writers Association gives Royal Palm Literary Awards in a variety of genres and for published and unpublished works. In February, I entered LADY ON THE EDGE in the published mystery category, and while it was a "finalist" (scoring better than 80% in the judging) it did not win a prize in the published mystery genre category.

Since I know that life is a mystery, it was fun to be at the same table with one of the writers in my local critique group who won a second place award for his historical fiction novel.

You can read the opening chapter of LADY ON THE EDGE here.

Also, starting this week, my latest Brad Frame mystery will be available on Amazon.com

Life's a Mystery - for more than a year

For more than a year I've maintained this blog, posting every other week. You'll notice from the picture to the left, I haven't aged a bit. :-)  Actually, I might have lost a few pounds since that picture was taken.

I appreciate all of you who have visited. It is a bit of work to put down thoughts... well, better to say "interesting" thoughts... on a regular basis.

I want people to get to know me a little better. It might provide a better perspective on my writing. Most authors prefer that their "work" speaks for them.

I've been watching a thread of conversation on the DorothyL listserv site. It is populated by writers and fans of mystery. A few of the mystery readers expressed indignation at posts billed as BSP - shorthand for "Blatant Self Promotion."

I seldom make a reference to BSP. I don't mind telling people about my stories. I can't recall ever having forced anyone to buy (or read) one of them. But in the same way that we appreciate when a friend calls to alert us to a program on TV that they know we might want to watch, I figure I'm providing a service to alert people to an upcoming title they might want to read.

I make it a point to freely share short stories and the opening chapters of my books. In that way, a person can decide in advance if they find the story interesting and the style readable. I also try to price my books as affordable. The opening book in my Brad Frame series is FREE to those on the Kindle Unlimited program, and 99 cents for everyone else. My other books are $2.99 for Kindle or Nook. Even the trade paperback versions are less than $15.

I know some people bristle when they hear BSP. It takes all kinds of people to make up our world, and all kinds of characters to populate the pages of a mystery novel. That's why I've been saying for more than a year, "Life's a Mystery."

Thanks, as always for visiting. Tell your friends! :-)

What Informs My Writing Most

Write what you know! Isn't that the advice given to every writer?

From a "big picture" perspective, I've had the advantage of a very diverse career that began working with juvenile delinquents, evolved to larger aspects of working in criminal justice (police, courts, probation), teaching in a college setting, working as an arts advocate (which put me in contact with so many creative people), and administering a national human services association. I've had a lifetime of coming in contact with such diverse groups of people, that it has been a blessing for me in terms of creating characters to populate my books.

On a personal level, I've done lots of theatre, which as an actor involves taking an author's words and creating a character. As a writer, I'm coming up with the words a character might believably say. For TRANSPLANTED DEATH (pictured here) I developed the plot idea while spending lots of time in the hospital when my wife received a kidney transplant.

In UNFORGIVING SHADOWS, the opening chapter depicts an execution by lethal injection. I've never witnessed one of those, but have been to the prison in Pennsylvania where the death penalty is administered.

In BLOOD PORN a juvenile corrections facility is the scene for illicit pornography. The fact that I had worked in juvenile corrections permitted me to create realistic settings.

On a micro level, my books are filled with elements of interaction and stories I've heard over the years. When I go back and re-read my books, nearly every chapter reminds me of a small episode in my life - whether it occurred in my college years or since I've been retired.

Just the other evening I was having dinner with a friend. We were talking about my books and he shared a story. I confided in him that he might see it used in a future Brad Frame story.

Research is another critical element that informs my writing. Thanks to the Internet, it's possible to find out a wealth of information about nearly any topic. And to take a photographic or video journey to further learn about a particular topic. And I'm not afraid to reach out to experts, such as lawyers when I wrote FINAL JUROR, or a funeral director to help me with my upcoming novel EMBALMED.

Help continue the conversation... share what informs the things you write about.

What I'm Working On

As soon as I finished FINAL JUROR earlier this year I started work on my 6th Brad Frame mystery. It is called EMBALMED. Brad and Sharon are once again working on dual cases, this time as a joint effort.

For those familiar with the series, you'll recognize the name Nick Argostino. Nick is a Philadelphia police detective and a partner in Brad's detective agency. Nick is in trouble in this story, having been accused of assaulting a fellow officer. Nick is bummed and his life needs focus, which he is getting with Brad and Sharon's help.

At the same time, they've been contacted by a bank's trust department on behalf of a woman with Alzheimer's who used to work for Brad's father. Her brother is missing and Brad is charged with finding him.

Thanks to the help of my local writers' group, which keeps me on target by expecting a new chapter of the story to critique each week, I'm nearing the end of the 65,000 word novel and hope to have it published in the near future. Please don't pin me down on what I mean by "near future." :-)

While taking breaks from this writing project I've begun on a new "standalone" novel of suspense. The title of this newest book is COLD OATH. I suspect it will take me the better part of a year to finish it with publication before the end of 2016.

I love working with Brad and Sharon and finding new adventures for them, but I'm equally excited at the prospect of bringing a new story to life.

You can check out all of my books and short stories at www.rayflynt.com. Tell your friends. The first Brad Frame story is only 99 cents for Kindle or Nook.

Having a Business Plan

I read recently that writers should develop a business plan to set forth the goals for their writing. The article indicated that the plan needn't be fancy or long and made a few suggestions, such as the author's desire to improve his writing with each new book.

I take that as a given, since I'm always striving for ways to be a better writer. On one level, the more you write the easier it becomes, but I find myself being more critical and revising many more times - even in the early stages of writing.

Back to that plan. If I were honest, I'd say my goal is to sell more books than Stephen King and James Patterson combined, and to make J K Rowling's bank account look like chump change.

<sigh> Not going to happen, I know.

Perhaps my dream of having Oprah recommend my books isn't out of the question? Okay, you're right. That won't happen either.

My first Brad Frame Mystery was published by Five Star - a small press. I think it had a print run of 500, enough to enable them to pay off the advance they had given me. I was so excited to finally be published that I wasn't thinking about the marketing challenges. My publisher wasn't spending much money to market the book. They sent out review copies, but (I later learned) without enough lead time to attract reviews from the major book reviewers, so it didn't get that many reviews. Although I must add that the ones it did get were quite favorable.

Since that first book, all my other novels have been self-published. I've written six books so far, and working on my seventh.

Without ever adopting a formal business plan, my hope all along was that with each book I wrote more people would learn about my writing. It's been ten years since my first book was published. Within the past year, I've heard of three instances where people learned about my most recent book, loved it, and then bought (and read) all of the other ones. That part of my plan is working... just slowly... and Stephen King, James Patterson, and J K Rowling have nothing to worry about. Yet. :-)

I also read an article (see, we authors read in addition to writing) that writers should submit their work to contests as a way of getting noticed. I recently learned that LADY ON THE EDGE (pictured above) is a finalist for a Royal Palm Literary Award. Results will be announced in October. Stay tuned.

I hope your plan will include giving my books a try. You can read all of the opening chapters at www.rayflynt.com - just click on the tabs at the top of the home page for mysteries and suspense and then click the link for the openings.

Networking Tips for Indie Authors - A Guest Blog by Mary Jeddore Blakney

Cooperation is essential to success in today's business world. And as Victoria Dougherty points out in her article "Rivals, Colleagues and Friends," this wasn't always the case in publishing, but it is now.

I met Ray Flynt several years ago after posting a review of his political thriller Kisses of an Enemy (which I loved, by the way). That eventually led to his hiring me to line edit his latest book, Final Juror. After that, he referred me to his friend Thomas John, who hired me for his novel The Healing of Reverend James. And the chain goes on.

Here are five networking tips I've learned from Victoria, Ray, Thomas and others:

·         Don't spam or harrass. There's probably no quicker way to get dropped from a great network than by sending out "WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO BUY MY BOOK?!!!" messages. An ancient sage once said, "Let another man praise thee," and that's the beauty of networking. As humans, we're much more receptive to recommendations than self-promotion. Go ahead and let people know you wrote a book, but let others do the praising.

·         Sincerely help your colleagues. As much as we may tend to see fellow writers as competition, the fact is that readers really do read more than just one author. And they're usually eager to get their hands on a book that has been recommended by a writer they love.

·         Be honest, diplomatically. On the one hand, it pays to help your fellow authors promote their books, because you want them to do the same for you. On the other hand, you don't want to ruin your reputation by recommending a poorly-written book. So what do you do?

o   You can often find something positive but true to say about either the book or the author. ("Roger Writer taught me everything I know about Smashwords, and now his own book is coming out. It's called Undermining Elephants," or "Roger Writer's new book Underming Elephants: I just love the cover!")

o   You can say something neutral. This works for books you're not familiar with, too. ("Congrats to Roger Writer on his new book Undermining Elephants!" or "How do you undermine an elephant? Undermining Elephants by Roger Writer is coming out in three days."

·         Invite your colleagues to write guest posts for your blog. Yup, that's why you're reading this here. That's why Thomas John has a post on this blog, too. And that's why Ray has written for my blog. It's win-win: we both get more exposure this way.

·         Share some of your book space with other authors in your genre. An excerpt of Luke Bellmason's The Canterbury Tales appears in the back of my upcoming book, Damage Control. That helps Luke by marketing his book to my readers, and it helps me by adding value to my book. Just be sure of three things before you do this:

o   The story you're sharing is in the same genre as your book and would be of interest to your readers.

o   You have read the book and can wholeheartedly recommend it.

o   You have the author's permission.

It all comes down to the Golden Rule: networking is about keeping your mind open for opportunities to help others, and letting others help you, too. 
__________

Thanks, Mary for good advice! The image above is for Mary's upcoming novel. But you can visit Mary's author's page at Amazon to see her other books/stories. It's all about networking.

Writer's Block

Every writer has experienced writer's block. We just don't know what to put on the page next. Or, what I find more commonly the case, I know what I want to convey but just can't seem to find the right words to express it.

The best way to deal with writer's block is to move on and come back to your problem later. The equivalent of saying "pass" on a tough series of quiz questions. By the time you return, hopefully an idea will have sparked.

But when I suggest moving on, I don't mean it's time to go do the laundry. No. Move on to the next bit of dialogue in the scene. Or consider how you might start the next chapter. Or go back to the start of the chapter you're working on and begin to edit.

We have so many distractions when we write, and to do it effectively means having the discipline to resist the trip to the kitchen for a snack, or checking e-mail (even though you just checked it ten minutes ago), or deciding it's a good time to confirm your bank balance online. Keep writing.

Of course, you could always pick up a book and read someone else's marvelous prose, admire the way the words flowed so easily from their pen to the page. "Why can't I do that?" you'll say, while kicking yourself. What you forget is that the person whose prose you admire may well have spent hours perfecting a page, a paragraph, a key description... until everything came together.

I've often thought about the fact that it takes me about a year to write a novel length mystery, while the reader can finish it in five or six hours. And they have no clue of how many times I threw up my hands while stuck on a word, phrase or idea.

I figured out a great way to cure my writer's block recently: I wrote this blog post. :-)

Tell me about your writing journey. Do you have a special technique for dealing with writer's block? Please share, and keep the conversation going.

Creating a Good Opening

E-readers and accessible POD books have transformed the publishing world. Indie books now outnumber traditionally published ones. Books are more affordable, with many e-books available in the 99 cent to $4.99 range.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the time it takes to read a book. The average person reads 200 – 250 words per minutes, meaning it will take about six hours to finish a 70,000 word story. While books cost less than a cappuccino, a book purchase is less of an economic choice and more of a “Do I really want to spend my time on this” decision.

How many times have you been in a bookstore, seen a person take a book off the shelf, browse the first page or two, and then put it back? In a matter of seconds they’ve made a judgment call not to purchase. Tilting readership in your direction means writing the best possible opening you can. And don’t be afraid to share opening chapters on a website, blog, etc. that readers can sample.

“What makes a great opening?” I’m glad you asked.

One of the best pieces of writing advice I ever received, and which I think about whenever I start to write a chapter is: 1) Set the scene; 2) Tell us something; 3) React.

Readers want to know: “Who’s telling this story?” “Where are we?” “What is the time frame?” Have you ever begun reading a book thinking it is a contemporary story, but then a historical figure enters the picture on page five? Or it takes that long for the writer to reveal that you’re in a “galaxy far, far away?” That’s not being fair with the reader.

Create imagery that will draw the reader into your story. Then, to keep her there, your prose should pose questions. For example, my first Brad Frame mystery novel, UNFORGIVING SHADOWS, opens with: “In ninety minutes, Wilkie would die.”

Hopefully, the reader will ask: “Who’s Wilkie?” “How will he die?” “Is the protagonist going to kill him?” Over the next few paragraphs we learn that Brad Frame has been invited by Wilkie to be a witness to his execution by lethal injection. Wilkie was one of two men who kidnapped and killed Brad’s mother and sister. Hopefully the reader is wondering why Wilkie would want Brad there. Does he have a message for him?  If your prose keeps readers asking questions, they are more likely to continue reading.

You can read the opening chapter of Unforgiving Shadows at http://www.rayflynt.com/unforgivingshadows.pdf

I approached my novel Blood Porn a little differently. It opens in the viewpoint of the man who will become Brad Frame’s client. I wanted to tease the question(s) suggested by the book’s title. You can check it out at http://www.rayflynt.com/bloodporn.pdf

Those are two examples of chapter openings. While there are many ways to open a story, if you effectively “set the scene” and get the reader asking questions, they’ll be hooked. Join the conversation. What do you look for in a book's opening?

Series Versus Standalone

For this week's blog I thought we'd discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a series versus a standalone book.

I've written both types, though the series has been the most prominent.

We all enjoy "hanging out" with good friends. People that we see on a regular basis, and whose company we enjoy. But we also appreciate the opportunity to meet new people. I think that sums up my feeling about writing a series versus a stand alone.

With my Brad Frame series, I enjoy putting Brad and Sharon (and to a lesser degree Nick Argostino) into new and challenging situations. I can then allow the reader to "learn" more about the characters, to see them grow as people. In that process, I hope that readers will want to return to future adventures. They will feel - as they read - that they're spending time with old friends.

However, I also appreciate the exhilaration of creating brand new characters for a stand alone novel. In KISSES OF AN ENEMY, I used three viewpoint characters to tell the story. Dave was a Congressional Chief of Staff with a problem: an intern had gone missing in his office. Nick had a problem too. He'd been fired from his job, but had now been asked by the missing intern's father to go to Washington to find out what he could about the missing intern. Vivian was a police detective in the jurisdiction where the intern lived, and had a direct hand in the investigation. That story, and the intersection of the lives of those characters was unique. I don't think it would be possible for me to bring them back in a new (and plausible) story. Though it might be possible to bring back one of those characters. Hmmm... my mind is buzzing at the thought.

I am itching to write another stand alone. I think the process expands a writer's mind, so that when he/she returns to those series characters they can be seen with a renewed vision.

You can check out all of my novels at www.rayflynt.com. And let me know if you prefer to read a series or a stand alone mystery.

Guest Blog - Thomas John, Author of THE HEALING OF REVEREND JAMES

WRITING MY FIRST BOOK

My book began life in 1991 as an idea for a screenplay. At that time, I was struggling to understand the reason my uncle died from cancer at a much too early age. I was working as an actor at Universal Studios, Florida, and I had long breaks between performances, so I found a quiet spot and started typing on my very advanced (for the year 1991) word processor. You could read four lines on the little window of a screen it had, (roughly the size of an iPhone 4). There was no Microsoft Word: no fonts, no word wrap; nothing. I chose African-American characters for a number of reasons, the most prevalent being the many conversations I had had with my African-American friends about the total lack of quality roles available to black actors. I was going to solve that problem--with my screenplay. Or not.

No one wanted a screenplay about a fourth-generation black Baptist preacher who was struggling with the loss of his wife and son. My writing languished in that form for more than twenty-one years while I gave up on acting and returned to Erie, Pennsylvania and followed in my father’s footsteps as a union sheet metal worker. Then I contracted a rare infection wrapped around my spinal cord. It was called an epidural abscess, and I required life-saving surgery to clean it out. The top third of five of my vertebrae had to be removed so the doctors could get at the infection. That ended my career in sheet metal. I spent five months flat on my back, except for bathroom trips, and another six would pass while I watched every television show I ever wanted to see. I read books. All the while, the story I had written so long ago was on my mind.

I was constantly talking about writing my first novel, and one day my wife said to me, ‘If you want to be a writer, don’t you think you should write something?” I began writing my novel the very next day. I was nervous and struggled with confidence. Then I saw a Facebook post from a friend I had not talked to in years. Ray Flynt (this is his blog space), had posted about his fourth book coming out soon. I ordered, read, and was completely impressed with his writing, so I reached out to him through an e-mail. To my surprise, Ray enthusiastically agreed to help me any way he could. I sent him the prologue and the first two chapters of my first draft. Ray was kind and his criticism constructive. He relayed that he thought I was a good story-teller, but my writing mechanics needed some work. 

Ray and I sent my work back and forth for the next month, and I learned that writing a book was even more difficult than I feared it would be. I had to re-learn high-school grammar and punctuation? Sheesh!  I had a lot of help along the way to produce the novel I am proud of today. Six of my own edits (my wife helping), Beta-reader comments which led to more rewrites, wrestling with Grammarly (a subscription grammar program that piggybacks with Word), collaborating with a cover art designer, hiring a line editor Mary Jeddore Blakley (maryjeddoreblakley.com), and finally formatting the finished manuscript with Smashwords.com, CreateSpace.com, and Kindle. It has been one hell of a ride.

Now that you know the story of how “The Healing of Reverend James” came to be—I’d love to hear your story. Please leave a comment and share your pain and pleasure. Go ahead, throw down a few words. Who knows? It could be the beginning of a new book! May the words be with you.

Thomas John

A few words from Ray: Now that you've learned about Thomas' process in bringing his first book to life, go read it. THE HEALING OF REVEREND JAMES is an inspiring tale that you'll find yourself thinking about long after you've finished the book.

What People Are Saying

FINAL JUROR, the latest book in the Brad Frame series, has been out for only a few weeks.

You can read the opening chapter here.

We've already seen a few positive reviews posted on Amazon, and here are those reviews:

- Ray Flynt’s new Final Juror is a very enjoyable read. It’s the fifth in the Brad Frame series, and mystery readers who haven’t discovered the series should start reading it now. Brad and his associate Sharon Porter are private investigators in main line suburbs of Philadelphia. In Final Juror they are working separately, Brad serving on a jury in a murder case, and Sharon handling an investigation into the death of a member of a different jury years ago. The parallels between the cases develop throughout the novel, which has elements of a classic mystery, a procedural, and a courtroom thriller. The recurring characters are nice enough to like, complex enough to be worth thinking about. The details are dead-on without overwhelming the story, and the characters are vividly portrayed, even those making the briefest of cameos. Don’t be reluctant to read the book because there are previous books in the series. At no point did Final Juror assume knowledge of past books. Cryptic references to past events may lead you to choose to read the earlier books, and they certainly won’t detract from your enjoyment when you do.

- Simply put, a great book. I have read all of Ray Flynt's books, and this may be his best. Heartily recommended!

- I've read all of the Brad Frame mysteries and this was my favorite. It was obvious the author did his research regarding the jury selection and trial process, and in that sense it was enlightening and believable. Brad Frame's assistant Sharon had her own story thread which resulted in two mysteries in one. I got a sense that perhaps Mr. Flynt is preparing to send Sharon off to her own series of mystery novels. It's another great summer read, arriving just in time for the beach or the vacation hammock!

- Fans of mystery and adventure should give serious attention to this author. Mr. Flynt offers the fifth installment in his Brad Frame mystery series and it's an absolute winner. If you haven't tried this series before, now is the time to start!

- And finally, feedback I received via an e-mail: WOW! That was a great book! I couldn't put it down.

I certainly appreciate the positive feedback. FINAL JUROR is here just in time for your summer vacation!

What's Next for Brad Frame

I've finally launched FINAL JUROR, and I'm already working on my next project.

It's called EMBALMED. A provocative title, but aptly named since the story involves a search for a killer who embalms his victims.

A friend of mine described the cover as "creeeeeeeepppyyyy." It is that, but hopefully it will draw readers to at least try the opening.

Those of you who have read the Brad Frame mystery series know that in addition to Brad and his assistant, Sharon Porter, that there are recurring characters. One of those is Nick Argostino, Brad's friend and mentor. He has been in every one of the stories. He plays a key role in this one as well, since his career is in jeopardy and Brad and Sharon step in to help.

As is the case in real life, when our lives are put under stress we can see what we are made of as we roll up our sleeves to tackle the problem at hand. In EMBALMED, when Nick's life comes under stress, it is only natural that Brad and Sharon would jump in with both feet to resolve the problem.

The reader gets to come along for the ride. Detective fiction is all about solving problems, doing it in a methodical way, and sharing just enough information with the reader that they can develop a sense of what the outcome might be.

It's why I love writing mysteries. Hopefully, you enjoy reading them. You can check out all of my books at www.rayflynt.com.

Imagining the First Brad Frame Movie

No. I haven't gone "Hollywood" - YET. But I can dream, can't I?

One of my favorite experiences at a book signing involved the person who approached the table at which I sat, my fresh-off-the-press books arrayed neatly in front of me. I smiled at the man, and avoided launching into a hard sell. "Feel free to have a look," I said, gently, so as not to scare him off. I urged him to pick up a copy and peruse. He did. I watched as he flipped through the first few pages, and then read the plot summary on the back.

Then he placed the book back on the table and said, "Looks interesting. I think I'll wait for the movie to come out."

I sighed inside, and tried hard to keep a smile on my face. I don't think that there has ever been a mystery writer who hasn't dreamed of seeing one of his or her books optioned for a Hollywood blockbuster, Movie of the Week, or perhaps just adapted as an episode of a popular crime drama. The reality is that lightning doesn't strike nearly that often.

But, I can dream, can't I? Yeah, I know I already said that. :-)

One of the techniques I use as I write is to picture the action as it might be seen through the lens of a camera. Viewpoint is important in writing, and whether I'm using first- or third-person (I use both) it is important for me to "see" what the protagonist sees. It makes it easier to bring the scene to life on the page.

I did dip my big toe into the movie making world once when I created a short video to promote UNFORGIVING SHADOWS, the first book in my Brad Frame series. That story helped to set up why Brad Frame had become a detective.

Lights, camera, action... this one minute video may be the only Brad Frame movie you'll ever see.

Promotional Video for UNFORGIVING SHADOWS

Bringing Characters to Life

I've read a lot about people's taste in plot driven versus character driven stories. Even those who like "mysteries" - which is perhaps the epitome of plotting - want to read about characters with whom they can identify.

For me, it is important to find the right balance. In my series, I have three main characters who appear in every one of the stories. They include, Brad Frame, Sharon Porter, his assistant, and Nick Argostino, the Philadelphia police detective who is Brad's silent business partner.

Then there are characters that are important in the lives of those principal characters (family members, close friends).

The victims of crime and their family members are crucial in each of the stories, and a believable cast of suspects is also essential.

At other times, because of the setting, there are an array of other characters who are also important to the story. I want each of them to "come to life" for the reader, to be more than a cardboard cutout--or a caricature.

All of the action in TRANSPLANTED DEATH takes place within a matter of days inside of a hospital setting. I had to have medical staff, food workers, janitors, administrators, technicians, an array of patients, etc. on hand to bring the story to life. How my protagonist deals with a "minor" character helps the reader to know more about the protagonist, as well as a realistic perspective about how that person with the "walk on" part fits into the whole picture.

Similarly, in FINAL JUROR, there were numerous scenes which took place in a courtroom populated with a judge, twelve jurors, alternates, court reporter, court crier, tipstaff, court clerk, prosecutors, defense attorney, and defendant. In addition, there were relatives of the defendant, and family members of the deceased that had to be included. And then "spectators" to fill the courtroom. Whew! Making it all come to life was a challenge, and since that book is on the verge of launching--I will find out soon.

To read the opening of my latest Brad Frame mystery, click here for FINAL JUROR.

Q & A

Q: I understand you're close to publishing your next Brad Frame mystery?

A: Yes. It's called FINAL JUROR. It's a dual story looking at a seventeen-year-old murder of a man who served on a jury in a federal racketeering case, and a contemporary murder trial in Brad Frame's home county.

Q: Are the two cases related?

A: No. Readers won't find a connection between the two other than the fact that both involve jury service.

Q. Where did you come up with the idea?

A. I've always been fascinated by courtroom drama in fiction. Perry Mason stories were among my early favorites. A long time ago, I attended a Saturday session of a major trial in the community where I lived. I wanted Brad and Sharon to have a chance to operate in that environment.

Q. It's been an easy process for you then?

A. The opposite actually. This may be the hardest book for me to write (so far).

Q. Why's that?

A. The courtroom scenes in particular; trials can be quite tedious. The challenge becomes where to put the focus. When do I actually "show" witnesses testifying, and at what moments is it better to just have Brad bring readers up to speed with a quick summary. (e.g. "After listening to him drone on for the past three hours, the only new fact they'd learned was that DNA at the crime scene only matched the victim.") If I did otherwise, I fear readers would be throwing their Kindles across the room.

Q. Sounds like you had to do a fair amount of research?

A. Yes. Nearly two years ago I visited the  Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, PA. Brad Frame lives in Montgomery County, and that's where the trial takes place. I met with the Jury Commissioners, who provided a tour of the courthouse, discussed how jurors are called to serve, the dos and don'ts of the process, and shared a few stories of how people try to get out of serving on a jury. Their help was invaluable.

Q. The murder trial in the book, is it based on an actual murder case?

A. No. But the challenge for any fiction writer is to convey the sense that these are real events and real people.

Q. You usually like to have an unexpected twist at the end of your mysteries. Will that be the case with FINAL JUROR?

A. That's the plan... times two.

Q. Times two? Explain.

A. I mentioned that this book involves two cases, the seventeen-year-old unsolved murder, and the contemporary murder trial. I'm hoping readers will be surprised by the outcome in both cases.

Q. Do you have an exact publication date?

A. What's that phrase? "No wine before its time." The book is finished, and currently being read by a few of my trusted "beta" readers. It should be available soon. Readers can visit this link to read the opening chapter, until the full book is ready. FINAL JUROR opening

Alpha, Beta, and Gamma

We writers speak in code. Whenever we're huddled in a group, the term "beta readers" can usually be heard. Time for me to de-code.

You've heard the expression "Alpha dog?" It's the leader of the pack. I ultimately write for YOU, the alpha reader; the person willing to plunk down $2.99 for a Kindle (or Nook) download of one of my books. And for those who like to hold a book in their hands, all of my books are available in trade paperback through Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

When I use the term "beta reader," I'm referring to the select group of people that I ask to read and comment on the finished product. I trust them to let me know if the book "works," by providing big picture comments on plot or characterization. One of my beta readers spotted a major continuity issue in BLOOD PORN, and I was easily able to fix it. In another book, a beta reader found the tension between two characters a little hard to swallow, which sent me back to the computer for corrections. I ask them to look for typos as well, but usually by the time it reaches them, those problems have been corrected.

For the last eighteen years I have been blessed to be part of a writers' critique group. First, in the Annapolis, Maryland area, and in Celebration, Florida since I've moved. I like to think of these people as "gamma" readers. They are writers who understand the craft of writing, and who appreciate things like viewpoint, voice, subject agreement with verb tense, use of punctuation, internal monologue, etc. When I share my writing with them, I can count on plenty of "tough love." As writers, we open ourselves to critique from others so that by the time the story reaches your hands that you don't find yourself stopping every few paragraphs because you've spotted a spelling or grammatical error, or couldn't understand whether the "she" I'd just used referred to Sharon or Beth.

Following my first book, which was published by Five Star, I've self published the others. Indie authors get a bad rap for not tending to their editing the way a traditional publishing house might. I work hard to provide the best product I can, since I want to be able to come back to you the following year with a new story. Hopefully, I will have earned your trust and you'll want to read more.

I appreciate my alpha readers, because they help provide a monetary reward for my writing efforts. But I love my beta and gamma readers, who continually challenge me to bring my best work.

Any thoughts? Please join the conversation.

My Writing Process

Here is the cover of KISSES OF AN ENEMY, my novel of political suspense. You can read the opening chapters here.

In this post, I want to share a bit about my writing process. I've been writing for at least 25 years, but except for the last year, my writing was limited to Saturday and Sunday mornings. I was too busy with work during the week, and usually too tired to begin writing in the evenings (though I could occasionally edit stuff I'd already written).

When I retired at the end of 2013, I was convinced that writing would become my full-time job. I've found myself much busier with various aspects of writing, including preparing this blog, promoting my books, and devoting time to critiquing the work of fellow writers in a critique group.

But I've found it difficult to work on my Brad Frame novels every day (or at least five days a week). I was concerned that I was procrastinating, but after a bit of analysis I concluded that "putting words on paper" or, in my case, on the computer screen, is only part of writing process.

Before retirement, although I only "wrote" two mornings a week, I spent a considerable part of the rest of the week (during my commute, while out running errands, as I lay in bed at night, etc.) thinking about what I wanted to put on the page: the name of a new character I planned to introduce, resolving a plot issue, digesting the critique I'd gotten in my writers' group, thinking through an upcoming dialogue scene, or how to conclude a chapter in a suspenseful way that would guarantee the reader would turn the page.

I now find that while I have more flexibility in when I write, that I'm still spending the same kind of time addressing those exact same questions. Once I've resolved the questions in my mind, I become much more productive in getting words on the page.

So don't look for four new Brad Frame mysteries each year, you know, now that I'm "retired." But do count on me trying to maintain the quality of my craft, as I keep striving to take it to the next level.

Any other writers want to weigh in on their writing process? By all means, join the conversation.

Recovering from Surgery

Why do I have those pictures of body parts at the top of the page? Because I'm hoping they're all back in place after my surgery. Especially my stomach and intestines, not pictured above.

I'm able to work on blog posts in advance and schedule them to appear on an orderly schedule (usually every two weeks). As I write this post, I'm anticipating surgery. As you read it, hopefully I'm on my way to a full recovery. Let me explain.

In 2010, I had an emergency appendectomy. My appendix had ruptured, resulting in life threatening complications. When I awoke from the anesthetic, I learned that I'd had a heart attack during the procedure, my kidneys had stopped functioning, and I'd developed sepsis. I later heard that the surgeon had called my wife to tell her that I might not make it through that first night.

Fortunately, I recovered from that surgery, but my stomach was never the same. A hernia forced the small intestines outside the normal confines of the stomach muscles, and while I've never been a skinny guy, my abdomen has had a distinct basketball-shape for the last few years.

Since moving to Florida, I've tried to be more active, especially walking and enjoying the pool at my condo's community center. With the Disney parks nearby, I've enjoyed strolling through Epcot, but with this increase in activity has come the realization that my center of gravity has been thrown off due to the abdominal hernia, and I needed to correct that. Last November I consulted with a surgeon, and he assured me that it was "fixable."

But it would involve a team of doctors (including a plastic surgeon to remove excess skin at the conclusion of the procedure). They would use a combination of biological mesh and re-position my own abdominal muscles to make the repair. My surgeon made sure I understood that this would be a major operation lasting about four hours.

I was told to expect an initial hospitalization of up to two weeks, followed by three or four weeks of physical therapy in rehab. Once I return home I'm to act like a couch potato for several months (walking is permitted, just not lifting).

I'm an optimist. Time spent in hospital and rehab is bound to provide more fodder for a future mystery, and I'll make use of my "couch potato" time by finishing FINAL JUROR (the latest Brad Frame mystery). It's all good. And I will appreciate finally getting my abdomen back to its original size.

Do you have any tips to make my recovery time more enjoyable? I'm open to suggestions. Please join the conversation.

Blessings of Liberty - Part 2

Yup, that's me to the left. Aside from mysteries, I've written and perform a one-man play based on Ben Franklin. It's called (drum roll please): BEN FRANKLIN: AN INGENIOUS LIFE.

Franklin said, in a speech to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, that there are two passions that govern the affairs of men, ambition and avarice. The love of power and the love of money. You can read the rest of his wise words on the graphic.

Because he feared the corrosive effect of money on the process of governing, Franklin believed that representatives should serve without compensation. That was a time when Congress did not pretend to meet year round, only convening periodically to conduct the people's business.

In part one of this "Blessings of Liberty" theme, I noted that members of Congress spend more than 4 and 1/2 times what they will earn during a two-year term in office in order to get elected. They have to raise several thousands of dollars each day toward their re-election. What's wrong with this picture?

I spent the last thirty years of my career working for non-profit organizations. In addition to working for Boards of Directors, over the years I also served on several non-profit Boards, even chairing three such Boards. I witnessed many discussions addressing the future of those organizations, and I saw people coming together time and again (often after serious debate) to agree on the way forward. And I've seen situations where a Board would hold off making a decision because three or four people (out of eighteen, for example) were opposed. Clearly these were people of good will, anxious to find a plan that the vast majority could support.

I'm of the belief that it is possible, on our most serious public debates, for the United States to chart a course on which the vast majority (65 to 70 percent) could agree. To achieve that, compromise is the order of the day. But what we have now is public policy held hostage to the interests of those few in our society that finance political campaigns. Our nation has always had spirited debate on policy disagreements (as I know from my research on Franklin), but what is troublesome now is that there isn't even a good debate going on about to make our governance more effective.

I'm of the opinion that only by moving to a more representative democracy can we wring the disproportionate influence of money out of the political system. Here are a few of my ideas for how we can have a more representative democracy, but I'd like to hear yours.

1) Return to smaller Congressional districts, so that our representatives are more in touch (Yes, I know that would mean having a lot more of them, but it could be worth it.).

2) Insist that Congress meet in Washington for only a few weeks at a time, perhaps as many as four times a year. (Video conferencing could make committee work just as productive while keeping representatives in their districts and more in touch with the needs of the electorate.)

3) Rather than traditional "elections," in the spirit of true representative democracy, groups of citizens (perhaps consisting of 1,000 people) could caucus in high school gyms/auditoriums every two years and select delegates, who would then meet with other delegates (from within a defined Congressional district) to choose the person to represent that district in Congress.

What do you think? Are you happy with governance in America? Do you worry that the same gridlock that has affected our national legislature will soon overtake State Houses as the cost of those campaigns become more and more expensive? This is the kind of conversation I think we need to have in our country.

Blessings of Liberty - Part 1

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution..."

Those were the words adopted by our Founding Fathers as the preamble of the US Constitution, setting forth the goals of what they hoped would be accomplished by the new democracy.

With the new Congress taking their oaths this month and the president's State of the Union message, in the spirit of my theme of Life's a Mystery, I'd like to reflect on the mystery of governance in America.

I grew up loving politics and fascinated by how our government works. That was nurtured around the kitchen table when I was a kid, as our family would discuss current events. As a result, my undergraduate major was political science. Forty-five years later, it's pretty clear to me that government isn't working any more.

I grew up in the fifties, a time of optimism. America, with its allies, had just defeated totalitarian regimes. Our country was growing, more people moved west, the Interstate highway system was built, communities invested in schools to educate the children of the post-war baby boom, and our nation reached for the moon--literally and figuratively. As the Cold War took hold, the entire world chose sides in USA versus USSR. Ah, the good ole days! I know the threats we face now are serious, but in first grade I had to learn to duck under my desk at school at the prospect of nuclear attack. All rather quaint as I look back.

I'm not sure what event (or series of events) crippled our government. Was it the Vietnam War? Watergate and a president forced to resign? Divisions over Civil Rights and issues of equality? Roe v. Wade? A presidential impeachment? The "welfare state?" Removal of prayer in schools?

What should have been a moment of national unity following the attacks on our country on 9/11/2001, seemed to last no more than a fortnight.

Whatever the catalyst, and perhaps there were multiple ones, depending on one's viewpoint, I haven't talked to anyone on the broad spectrum of political thinking (conservative to liberal) who is happy with the state of affairs in our politics. Frankly, political leaders on both sides of the aisle seem to be taking their cue from the strategy we adopted against the Soviets during the Cold War--"mutually assured destruction." Using that analogy, it feels as if the citizenry have become collateral damage.

The more important question is what steps can citizens take to help move our government beyond gridlock. I'll have a few ideas in "Part 2," and I'd like you to be thinking of ones as well. But let me leave you with two facts to ponder.

1) When our nation began, members of Congress represented districts comprising approximately 30,000 people. Today those districts are at about 700,000.

2) Members of Congress earn $179,000 a year, and spend an average of $1,689,000 at each election to a two-year term.

You're a citizen. Please join the conversation, with a comment below, or perhaps with your family around the dining table.

Remembering Rebecca

It was a year ago that Rebecca passed away. The picture on the left is the last one taken of her. A neighbor snapped it during a holiday party in December 2013, and later shared it with me.

Though many people called her Becky, during our first date I asked what she preferred. She said Rebecca, and that is what I used.

Those who knew her will recall that Rebecca faithfully remembered birthdays and anniversaries. She delighted in sending out cards to family and friends; I'm convinced she was Hallmark's best customer! Of course, she'd also buy cards for me that I would usually open to read, keep for a few days, and then toss. For unexplained reasons, I held onto the Valentine's Day, Wedding Anniversary, and Birthday cards she gave me in 2013. Having them provided comfort as those occasions rolled around this past year. Why did I hang on to them? Life's a mystery.

The painful memories of her final days have given way to more endearing remembrances of fun times together. I think about the first time we met at the Erie Playhouse, the many shows we did together, and how, in those last few months, she helped me learn lines for my Ben Franklin play. We enjoyed numerous vacations - including memorable ones to Arizona, Wyoming, California, London and Paris. Rebecca delighted in moving into new places and decorating them (8 during the course of our married life). And I can picture the two of us exploring several of our new homes while they were still under construction. She never lost her sense of wonder or fondness for whimsy, a trait we shared.

I think back to favorite movies she enjoyed (Star Wars, Star Trek, ET, and Indiana Jones to name a few). She made no secret of the fact that had Harrison Ford ever become available, I would have been history. :-)

She had a lifelong goal of becoming an architect, and returned to school at age 44 to earn a B.S. in Architecture. In my Florida condo, I have a display of architectural models Rebecca made during her

studies at the University of Maryland. She loved design and
working as an architect.

We honeymooned at Disney World, and made return visits nearly every year. Each time I visit Disney now, I smile as I recall her favorite attractions and restaurants. Rebecca especially enjoyed family gatherings with her parents, and sister and brother (Barbara and Charlie); the Clark and Shirk family reunions; and Thanksgivings spent with aunts, uncles and cousins.

Rebecca entered the hospital for the last time on the day after her mother's funeral. In one of our last conversations she told me that she took consolation at her mother's passing, and cited Ben Franklin's eulogy for a friend (from my play): "Our friend is newly born among the immortals... His chair was ready first, and he has gone on before us. After all, we could not all conveniently start together; and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow and know where to find him." I share her solace.

Remembering Rebecca, with love!