Mystery/Thriller Scheduled Chat

Cassiopeia · Sep 16, 2007

On the calender it still shows that this thursday is a scheduled chat for the discussion of our genre.

What do you guys think? Shall we gather on the irc server and discuss things? It's at 9pm est. I will be there in case anyone wants to come and we can discuss anything we want for an hour.

In particular I was thinking it would be helpful to discuss how to put viable twists and surprises in our stories so they aren't so predictable.

Any other ideas would be great too.

Let me know what you all think.

Kim

Mod35tBabe · Sep 18, 2007

Hi Kim sorry I've been slack in running it - it's hard between study and appointments, plus often when I was around to run them noone showed up who wrote mystery very much anyway, which made it hard to get enthusiastic about it. If you can get some people eager to chat about it, you're more than welcome to take it over because I suspect I've failed dismally in my task.
I hope you do better than I did, and I hope to make it to the next scheduled meet.

Cassiopeia · Sep 18, 2007

Noooo, I don't want to take it over...I just am trying to get everyone here to come do it cos every time it is our turn for the chat room I get told no one wants to write mystery or discuss it.

You didn't fail hun. You have been really busy. :Hug2:

Mod35tBabe said:
Hi Kim sorry I've been slack in running it - it's hard between study and appointments, plus often when I was around to run them noone showed up who wrote mystery very much anyway, which made it hard to get enthusiastic about it. If you can get some people eager to chat about it, you're more than welcome to take it over because I suspect I've failed dismally in my task.
I hope you do better than I did, and I hope to make it to the next scheduled meet.

Good Word · Sep 18, 2007

I don't know if I can run it this Thursday--but why don't we have roll call here and see who can be there, and I'll see what I can put together. I'm trying run it, but that's a tough time for me.

Let's also pick a topic or topics--what do you want to talk about?

--Lisa

Cassiopeia · Sep 18, 2007

Good Word said:
I don't know if I can run it this Thursday--but why don't we have roll call here and see who can be there, and I'll see what I can put together. I'm trying run it, but that's a tough time for me.

Let's also pick a topic or topics--what do you want to talk about?

--Lisa

Lisa I don't mind doing it if people would like to. Its just a matter of leading out with the topic. I can be there for you if you want. I am just hoping to get it going again for us.

Kim

Shara · Sep 18, 2007

I wish I could join the Mystery chat, but 9pm EST is 3am GMT. As long as I have the day job (ie until the day I become a rich and famous writer and can set my own hours) I can't stay up to play that late.

Shara

Good Word · Sep 19, 2007

Kim and anyone who wants an MTS chat--carry on, then on Thurs. I have a prior commitment, and eves are hard for me.

It would be good if you had a topic, though.

Cassiopeia · Sep 19, 2007

If anyone would like to meet during the day time (ie day time for the states) the chat is always available any time for discussions.

I am more than happy to alter my schedule to have a discussion.

tjwriter · Sep 19, 2007

Hopefully I can show up. Even though I lean toward SF/F, I like to incorporate elements of MTS.

I'm dependent on the fact that Baby P actually goes to sleep in her own bed. It seems we are cutting 2 year molars a little early and things have not been so simple in my house.

I'll try to be there...

jst5150 · Sep 19, 2007

Excellent! I didn't realize this was a regular thing (I need to read the calendar that I update more often. Any who ...)

I'll be there. I'll be happy to talk about the M/T book I have being reviewed by a publisher now and what's next, if you like.

jt

Cassiopeia · Sep 19, 2007

Okay, unless I hear otherwise we will have the chat at its scheduled time 9:00pm est.

I would really like to have you post some questions you might have for us to discuss.

wyntermoon · Sep 19, 2007

Sounds great! And it's after Survivor -- even better timing.

Question: I'm hitting my middle-sludge. Any tips on powering through it and not beat your head against the monitor?

Cassiopeia · Sep 19, 2007

Question from me:

Is it even possible to have a mystery/thriller without a twist ending?

jst5150 · Sep 19, 2007

wyntermoon said:
Sounds great! And it's after Survivor -- even better timing.

Question: I'm hitting my middle-sludge. Any tips on powering through it and not beat your head against the monitor?

I hit this a few times. Switch up and write in a different direction. Find something that will spark you to spark your characters. Mine turned out to be a guy named James Jesus Angleton.

I'd also recommending bouncing things off a spouse or a close confident and getting soem feedback. You can't work in a vacuum. So, in order the get a catalyst, I asked my wife about directions and ideas. She was great. You may have someone to do this with. Once you've got an idea or two, expose them to your plot and see if they fit. Then start writing. The rest comes quickly.

Hope this helps.

jt

jst5150 · Sep 19, 2007

Some possible discussion topics:

-- is the Mickey Spillane hard-boiled novel an anique or how do we refersh it?
-- Where are Agatha Christie's succesors and why haven;t we seen more mysteries evolve like hers?
-- How do you develop a sleuth and what sets him/her apart?
-- What's the strangest place you've drawn a mystery idea from?

wyntermoon · Sep 19, 2007

jst5150 said:
I hit this a few times. Switch up and write in a different direction. Find something that will spark you to spark your characters. Mine turned out to be a guy named James Jesus Angleton.

I'd also recommending bouncing things off a spouse or a close confident and getting soem feedback. You can't work in a vacuum. So, in order the get a catalyst, I asked my wife about directions and ideas. She was great. You may have someone to do this with. Once you've got an idea or two, expose them to your plot and see if they fit. Then start writing. The rest comes quickly.

Hope this helps.

jt

Thank you, that does help! Er, is your wife available for a minute or two? My husband just nods and smiles when I bring it up. :Shrug:

jst5150 · Sep 19, 2007

wyntermoon said:
Thank you, that does help! Er, is your wife available for a minute or two? My husband just nods and smiles when I bring it up.

i think i can get her signed up on the forum.

I need to start illustrating her children's book or she;s going to start firing ... :e2chain:

Good Word · Sep 19, 2007

Can one of you just finish my manuscript for me?

Please? You can vote on it in chat. I give prizes.

Heh.

Cath · Sep 19, 2007

I've asked the chat room ops if anyone will be around to help with this. I can't make it - but have a great chat - and don't forget to post the transcript!

Cassiopeia · Sep 19, 2007

Cath said:
I've asked the chat room ops if anyone will be around to help with this. I can't make it - but have a great chat - and don't forget to post the transcript!

Thanks Cath, Peter and I had a chat. It's all organized.

Cassiopeia · Sep 20, 2007

I am really excited for tonight and hope any and all come! Doesn't matter your genre...I think we all need a bit of mystery in our stories.

Please come! Help us all learn from each other. And if you all show enough interest maybe in the future we can have a guest speaker or something!

Good Word · Sep 20, 2007

Have a great chat tonight, folks.

Kim, you can post the transcript in the stickied thread for transcripts. I can't wait to read it tomorrow!

Cassiopeia · Sep 20, 2007

Good Word said:
Have a great chat tonight, folks.

Kim, you can post the transcript in the stickied thread for transcripts. I can't wait to read it tomorrow!

Sure! I wish you could be there!

Um, can someone point me in the right direction of where that sticked thread is? Is it in this forum or a different one?

jst5150 · Sep 20, 2007

Just bumping this as a reminder if you're lurking and looking for a social or chat experience.

Cassiopeia · Sep 20, 2007

jst5150 said:
Just bumping this as a reminder if you're lurking and looking for a social or chat experience.

Thanks Jst...I have also put a thread in the Office Party to nag people there

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