C.L. Ragsdale's Blog, page 5
April 18, 2012
What Do You Call A Mystery Writer Who Can't Keep A Secret? Me.
I got some feedback on my cover and decided to tweak it a little, okay a lot. I would tell you why I had to tweak it, except it would give a little more away about the plot than I am ready to reveal just now, and I'm really bad at keeping secrets so don't ask.
Which is why me writing a mystery series is so hilarious. I mean the whole thing is building a plot where you basically have to keep a secret, but you also have to be fair about it so the reader has a chance of figuring it out. At least that's how I feel about it. Red herrings drive me nuts!
But it's the way I get there which would probably make my fellow writers cringe.
From what I've researched, apparently I am supposed to have outlined this whole thing out. I should know every book in the series and how it's all going to end up. But I don't. So any speculation on my readers part would be useless, so don't try.
I have tried to do outlines, really I have, but during the course of writing my plots always seem to stray very far away from them so I gave it up. I drop and replace characters, the storyline changes, not being able to leave the cover alone...it goes on and on. In the end it somehow it all comes together and the progression of the series makes sense. Which is why I know that God has given me The Reboot Series to write. But why am I getting it in pieces I wondered. Well God did reveal that part to me just recently.
It's because I would tell everyone about it ahead of time! Which would be bad for a mystery book and not be so good sales. Like I said, I'm lousy a keeping secrets.
I can't wait to see how this whole thing turns out.
April 3, 2012
PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS: THE WRONG GHOST
Book #4 in my series The Reboot Files named The Wrong Ghost is currently being edited and getting ready for publication. The cover is preliminary, I may change it. Then again I may not.
Anyway to the story! This time Reboot ghost buster Irene Waters is off to picturesque Lake Morona to investigate rumors of a ghost of a woman who died of a broken heart haunting its shores. Pretty standard fare for Irene and her cameraman Troy Stenson except for few odd things.
First Bernie Youngman, their station owner, had previously passed on covering this particular ghostly tale. Now he has not only changed his mind about covering the story but has even insisted on coming along. Something Troy has never even heard him mention doing before. Even more shocking, Reboot has competition, and to Troy's dismay it is his former employer who is the competition! Then there is the “ghost” itself who is just a little bit too cooperative, and it may not even be the right ghost. Of course there is a plethora of suspects who could make things clearer, but only succeed in confusing an already confusing situation. Irene is really going to have her work cut out for her this time.
The mysterious Records Department is lurking in the shadows planning who knows what (well I do but that’s to be expected), it becomes clear that there is more to the jovial Bernie Youngman than meets the eye, and Matty is definitely not just Irene’s baby sister.
That’s it, at least for now…
March 20, 2012
And Now For Something Completely Different - Review: Bugles In The Afternoon
Bugles in the Afternoon by Ernest HaycoxMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Let me start this review with a disclaimer. I do not read Westerns, ever. However, this was my father's favorite book, and I got curious as to why so I decided to give it a try. Believe it or not, I'm glad I did. Not that I've become a Western fan, in fact I will probably never read another one. Nothing against the genre, it's just not my thing. However, I did make a discovery.
Ernest Haycox was a very good writer.
The book relays a vivid picture of the reality of what it would have been like to live in the Old West. Really, you can almost feel the research that must have gone into this book. It begins with a description of a stagecoach ride where you can almost feel how uncomfortable it would have been. Think mountain bike ride without shock absorbers and being in constant fear of turning over. However, the point he really pulls you in is when a Sioux is seen in the distance. He looks at the stagecoach then pretends to shoot an arrow at them. However, the driver is not overly concerned. Winter is coming on, the Sioux are heading to the reservation so there won't be any trouble. Yet.
Bugles In The Afternoon consists of two plots, one fictional one factual intersecting and both are compelling. The fictional plot involves the conflict between Kern Shafter, a man of mystery who has enlisted in the 7th Calvary as a private, and Edward Garnett an officer of dubious reputation and uncertain character. These two have a past together and Haycox skillfully guides you through the events that turned what had been the best of friends into the bitterest of enemies without being cliche about it. This situation is only made worse when both men manage to fall in love with the same woman. I know it sounds cheesy, but Haycock manages to make you care about all people involved in this romantic triangle, even the bad guy.
The secondary plot, I just can't call it a sub-plot it's too good for that, relates the events that led up to The Battle of the Little Big Horn. Anyone who knows history knows what's going to happen, but the story of how they got there is fascinating and inevitable. Of course the central character has to be George Armstrong Custer. Without making judgments the author paints a picture of a man who peaked too soon in his career and spent the rest of his life trying to recover what he saw as his lost glory. This fatal focus causes him to inspire blind devotion by some under his command while others doubt his competency and anticipate the disaster that is to come.
Also I was impressed by the depiction of the Sioux in the story. Although not represented by a major character they are imperative to the plot, and the author treats them with respect. Surprising for a book that was written in 1943. In the book the military recognizes the Sioux have been wronged by the U.S. government, but there is a nation to be built and they are in the way. For their part the Sioux are determined to protect their sacred lands and are not backing down. Haycock does not tell this story as a battle between good and evil, but of two cultures with opposing viewpoints violently colliding with catastrophic results ultimately for both. The depiction of the battle, mostly from Major Reno's part in it, is not sugarcoated but not overly graphic, and the fictional plot is resolved in a logical manner, but with few surprises. If like me Westerns are not your genre think of Bugles in the Afternoon as a Historical novel. It is well researched and entertaining by a great writer who knew his stuff. What could be better than that?
March 5, 2012
Okay I'm Feeling Better Now
Okay February is over and I decided to share a little Hint Fiction with you. What is Hint Fiction? Hint Fiction is a form of writing where the story must be 25 words or less, really. It's fun to do but what I did here was to cheat a little and create a Hint Fiction Murder Mystery Novel. It has 25 words or less (counting chapter titles) in each of the 25 chapters. I posted it in My Writings a little while back, but decided to place it on my blog with a few edits. Why? Because I liked it. Fair warning though. I did some research and pulled out every cliché, red herring and totally incongruous plot twists and characters. In other words, everything you should not put into a Murder Mystery. You like a good whodunit? This ain't it. But it might be good for a laugh, as long as it's under 25. Enjoy (I hope)
Chapter 1 — Murder Most Fowl
A rich man murdered. Suspects galore. A police detective stumped. Then he meets a pampered parrot. The bird did the deed?
Chapter 2 — Pernicious Parrot?
The evidence is mounting. The bird inherits a fortune. Blood is on his talons. But how did he escape his cage? An accomplise?
Chapter 3 — Crime Scene Revisited
The victim is a bloody mess. Could a parrot have done all that? Polly isn't talking. The detective is baffled.
Chapter 4 — Things Look Bad For The Bird
A discovery is made. The parrot can unlock his own cage. Will the detective arrest a bird?
Chapter 5 — The Obligatory Plot Twist
Someone tries to dispose of the parrot. The plot is foiled, but the perpetrator remains at large.
Chapter 6 — No Prison Time For Polly?
A discovery is made. A knife wound is found among the carnage? The parrot must be innocent!
Chapter 7 — A Humorous Interlude
Who framed the bird? Perhaps the cat? The detective is not amused. Round up the suspects!
Chapter 8 — The Suspects
The disinherited daughter, her beefy husband, a questionable doctor, a butler who was a knife thrower. One must be the killer.
Chapter 9 — The Requisite Amateur Detective
The daughter sent for a Private Investigator. A party girl with a Chihuahua. The detective may have a stroke.
Chapter 10 — Introducing Marseille Starwood
Marseille Starwood will review the evidence and solve the crime. Just as soon as she gets off her cell phone.
Chapter 11 — The Great Detective Is Ready...No She's Not
She’s done. Marseille will interview the suspects…now she’s texting.. Can’t it wait? We have crime here.
Chapter 12 — Finally...
She’s ready now, really. She wants to interview the suspects. Starting with the parrot? But the parrot was exonerated!
Chapter 13 — This Is Not Going Well…
Marseille was joking about the parrot. Someone should warn her that the detective has no sense of humor.
Chapter 14 — Marseille ‘s Questionable Mehods
Marseille interviews the suspects. All claim. She insists her dog can determine who did it...Oh come on!
Chapter 15 — A Bad Plot Twist
The dog goes to daughter… her husband…no the doctor…now the butler…then makes a break for the door to freedom!
Chapter 16 — Exit Marseille Starwood
Marseille abandons the mystery and chases the dog. The detective is pleased. That was a waste of chapters.
Chapter 17 — The Clue That Should Never Be Used. The Bloody Glove
A bloody glove is found. But who wore the gloves?
Chapter 18 — The Doctor Did It
The gloves belong to the doctor. He lost them weeks ago, and has an alibi. He’s innocent.
Chapter 19 — Do We Have Our Killer?
The son-in-law made threats against the victim and has a black eye. Besides nobody likes him.
Chapter 20 — Not Yet
The maid comes forward. He was annoying her with unwanted attentions when the murder occurred. He's a creep, but innocent.
Chapter 21 — Oh No…
The victim had fired the butler. The butler says he quit. The butler did it? That worse than the parrot.
Chapter 22 — The Butler Didn't Do It
The butler was protecting the maid from the son-in-low, I mean law. That explains the black eye
Chapter 23 — The Daughter Did It?
The daughter is the only suspect left, and she may kill her husband for messing with the maid.
Chapter 24 — Not Her Either?
She has an alibi, she had an appointment with the doctor who brought her to the house. Who did it?
Chapter 25 — The Lame Ending
The writer is sick of the book. The parrot did it. The End.
Chapter 1 — Murder Most Fowl
A rich man murdered. Suspects galore. A police detective stumped. Then he meets a pampered parrot. The bird did the deed?
Chapter 2 — Pernicious Parrot?
The evidence is mounting. The bird inherits a fortune. Blood is on his talons. But how did he escape his cage? An accomplise?
Chapter 3 — Crime Scene Revisited
The victim is a bloody mess. Could a parrot have done all that? Polly isn't talking. The detective is baffled.
Chapter 4 — Things Look Bad For The Bird
A discovery is made. The parrot can unlock his own cage. Will the detective arrest a bird?
Chapter 5 — The Obligatory Plot Twist
Someone tries to dispose of the parrot. The plot is foiled, but the perpetrator remains at large.
Chapter 6 — No Prison Time For Polly?
A discovery is made. A knife wound is found among the carnage? The parrot must be innocent!
Chapter 7 — A Humorous Interlude
Who framed the bird? Perhaps the cat? The detective is not amused. Round up the suspects!
Chapter 8 — The Suspects
The disinherited daughter, her beefy husband, a questionable doctor, a butler who was a knife thrower. One must be the killer.
Chapter 9 — The Requisite Amateur Detective
The daughter sent for a Private Investigator. A party girl with a Chihuahua. The detective may have a stroke.
Chapter 10 — Introducing Marseille Starwood
Marseille Starwood will review the evidence and solve the crime. Just as soon as she gets off her cell phone.
Chapter 11 — The Great Detective Is Ready...No She's Not
She’s done. Marseille will interview the suspects…now she’s texting.. Can’t it wait? We have crime here.
Chapter 12 — Finally...
She’s ready now, really. She wants to interview the suspects. Starting with the parrot? But the parrot was exonerated!
Chapter 13 — This Is Not Going Well…
Marseille was joking about the parrot. Someone should warn her that the detective has no sense of humor.
Chapter 14 — Marseille ‘s Questionable Mehods
Marseille interviews the suspects. All claim. She insists her dog can determine who did it...Oh come on!
Chapter 15 — A Bad Plot Twist
The dog goes to daughter… her husband…no the doctor…now the butler…then makes a break for the door to freedom!
Chapter 16 — Exit Marseille Starwood
Marseille abandons the mystery and chases the dog. The detective is pleased. That was a waste of chapters.
Chapter 17 — The Clue That Should Never Be Used. The Bloody Glove
A bloody glove is found. But who wore the gloves?
Chapter 18 — The Doctor Did It
The gloves belong to the doctor. He lost them weeks ago, and has an alibi. He’s innocent.
Chapter 19 — Do We Have Our Killer?
The son-in-law made threats against the victim and has a black eye. Besides nobody likes him.
Chapter 20 — Not Yet
The maid comes forward. He was annoying her with unwanted attentions when the murder occurred. He's a creep, but innocent.
Chapter 21 — Oh No…
The victim had fired the butler. The butler says he quit. The butler did it? That worse than the parrot.
Chapter 22 — The Butler Didn't Do It
The butler was protecting the maid from the son-in-low, I mean law. That explains the black eye
Chapter 23 — The Daughter Did It?
The daughter is the only suspect left, and she may kill her husband for messing with the maid.
Chapter 24 — Not Her Either?
She has an alibi, she had an appointment with the doctor who brought her to the house. Who did it?
Chapter 25 — The Lame Ending
The writer is sick of the book. The parrot did it. The End.
February 28, 2012
A SERIES OF ANNOYING EVENTS
No pictures, no funny drawings, barely a sense of humor. Why? Because February has not been my favorite month this year. Nothing catastrophic, just a serious of annoying events.
First I tried to start a knitting project. I was really looking forward to it. I bought the yarn and I had the pattern which I’ve wanted to try for a long time. Then a few rows in I made a discovery. The pattern did not suit my knitting style. I know that sounds strange, but it happens and it did not look good. So I had to unravel the whole thing and find a different pattern. Hopefully the next one will turn out better. Stay tuned.
I finally finished my fourth book, The Wrong Ghost, which is great, but the problem is things have been getting started on the editing. I thought The Harbinger of Retribution was tough, but this one gave me even more trouble. I actually wrote it, didn’t like it and then wrote it again. The rewrite was really hard, because I had already wrote it…if that makes any sense. Now when I try to edit…
I get sick. Just a cold, or something, and I am getting better but no one likes to be sick.
Like I said, this hasn’t been my favorite month, and I would be glad it’s February 28th except…
It’s a leap year.
Sigh.
First I tried to start a knitting project. I was really looking forward to it. I bought the yarn and I had the pattern which I’ve wanted to try for a long time. Then a few rows in I made a discovery. The pattern did not suit my knitting style. I know that sounds strange, but it happens and it did not look good. So I had to unravel the whole thing and find a different pattern. Hopefully the next one will turn out better. Stay tuned.
I finally finished my fourth book, The Wrong Ghost, which is great, but the problem is things have been getting started on the editing. I thought The Harbinger of Retribution was tough, but this one gave me even more trouble. I actually wrote it, didn’t like it and then wrote it again. The rewrite was really hard, because I had already wrote it…if that makes any sense. Now when I try to edit…
I get sick. Just a cold, or something, and I am getting better but no one likes to be sick.
Like I said, this hasn’t been my favorite month, and I would be glad it’s February 28th except…
It’s a leap year.
Sigh.
February 10, 2012
Why Do The Hard Ones Always Turn Out To Be the Best?
I think that my third book in The Reboot series, The Harbinger of Retribution is one of my best. Even though it was so hard to write.
Now don't get me wrong, I love the book and the way it turned out, I think it’s one of my best. It’s just wasn't the book I originally set out to write, and taking a plot you have already settled on, finding out it doesn't work and then rewriting is very hard. I know because it also happened on the fourth and soon to be released fourth book The Wrong Ghost. There's a reason for that title.
Anyway back to The Harbinger of Retribution. Neat title huh? I usually have trouble with titles, but this one came easy. It was the only thing about this project that did.
Although it wasn't the idea that started the series, that is a book that is coming later in the series, the urban legend of the statue with a curse on it was an early idea. The problem was that I fell into a trap I sometimes encounter, I tried to do a dark and disturbing plot. In case you haven't read my books, I don't do dark and disturbing plots. There's a reason for that, I don't do it well.
Of course I finally realized the plot wasn’t working which meant I had to do total rewrite, which I hate to do because I had to delete pages (I hate doing that!). Finally, I got the book done in the light hearted spirit of the other two books, which is not easy when you’re dealing with a statue with an attitude. Just kidding. It’s just a statue.
Even the cover was a challenge, understatement, but I think it is one of my best.
Anyway, here’s the description of my hard work:
The Harbinger of Retribution is a thing of beauty and of nightmares. A seven foot tall statue of black marble depicting a cloaked woman with two swords crossed over her chest, residing in a back room of the local church in the town of Redemption which has seen more than its share of unfortunate events. At least that's how the story goes and why Irene's Eerie Adventures has come to town.
Cameraman Troy Stenson is elated to find that the object of their investigation does not disappoint in the sinister factor, on the surface anyway, and it even has a curse. The only cloud on his horizon is his partner, Irene Waters, who refuses to judge by appearances alone. To Troy’s chagrin she is proven right as it soon becomes clear that the only trouble being caused by the statue is figuring out what kind of trouble it's supposed to be causing. Mostly because no one can agree on what the supposed curse is actually supposed to do.
There is the information given by Reboot's now infamously incorrect Research Department stating the Harbinger's mere creation caused disaster to its talented but eccentric creator, and then to the town that harbors it. A story encouraged by the ancestors of the artist who claim that the statue really belongs to them, and denied by the pastor of the church where it now resides. Straightforward enough, except the situation is further complicated when the Reboot team finds a competing legend warning that the Harbinger's departure would lead to disaster in Redemption. As for the townspeople they are split as to which story to believe, and the rumors and tall tales just keep getting bigger and more out of control. Irene and Troy and do their best to sort out what facts they have, but are hampered in their investigation by the lack of assistance from their boss, Bernie Youngman, who has suddenly turned surly and uncooperative.
These events may have soured Troy's initial hope of an exciting story, but Irene is convinced that there is more going on than a mere curse. Solving that mystery, however, will involve overcoming her issues with pastors, separating who is lying from those who are merely indulging in wishful thinking and convincing her partner that there really is a story to be had even if it isn't the one he wants.
January 25, 2012
A Book Review
Taste and See, A Sampling of First Chapters by John 316 Marketing Network Authors by Lorilyn RobertsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love sampler platters. Probably because I have so much difficulty making up my mind. That's why the Taste and See is perfect for someone like me. It is a sampling of a chapter of several Christian books. It's divided into categories, so if you're interested in fiction, poetry, devotionals and several others you can find what interests you easily.
There is a chapter for each book, not all of them are Chapter 1, but rather they are carefully selected to give an idea as to the content of the book in question and wet your appetite for more.
Was I interested in every book listed? No, but that is its purpose, to give a starting point and find the books that did interest me. It is a resource book, and I gave the book five stars for doing its job very well.
January 15, 2012
As Based On The Book...
This is going to be a short post, but I do have some exciting news.
A friend of mine, Jim Zimmer (www.jimzimmer.com), is a Christian independent film maker who filmed a short vignette of a scene from my book The Mystery of Hurtleberry House.
I got to be on set when it was filmed and it was a lot of fun. Multiple camera shots, special lighting, actors in unions, very exciting. And yes, I got a tee shirt out of the deal. The house we filmed at was so similar to the house I made for the cover it was scary. It was then that I knew that the Lord was behind the whole thing.
It's posted on http://vimeo.com/33460510 so come on over and take a look if you like.
Hope you enjoy it.
A friend of mine, Jim Zimmer (www.jimzimmer.com), is a Christian independent film maker who filmed a short vignette of a scene from my book The Mystery of Hurtleberry House.
I got to be on set when it was filmed and it was a lot of fun. Multiple camera shots, special lighting, actors in unions, very exciting. And yes, I got a tee shirt out of the deal. The house we filmed at was so similar to the house I made for the cover it was scary. It was then that I knew that the Lord was behind the whole thing.
It's posted on http://vimeo.com/33460510 so come on over and take a look if you like.
Hope you enjoy it.
November 14, 2011
New Blog
Well I made a decision, finally, and started a new blog on Blogger called Coloring without Crayons. Yes I know I used that title in a previous blog, but what can I say, I like the name.
Anyway there are times when I’ll be sharing the posts, but other times when I just use one or the other depending on what the topic is.
The address is www.coloringwithoutcrayons.blogspot.com. Hope you come and check it out sometime.
Anyway there are times when I’ll be sharing the posts, but other times when I just use one or the other depending on what the topic is.
The address is www.coloringwithoutcrayons.blogspot.com. Hope you come and check it out sometime.
October 27, 2011
Cardboard and Aluminum Foil
When I was a child Halloween was much different than it is now. It was for kids, and it was a lot of fun. I mean you could go out trick or treating without adult supervision and not worry about not making it home.
As a Christian I have mixed feelings about it now because the adults seem to have taken it over and it has gotten very disturbing. Still that's not the point of this post, so I will move on. Anyway, we rarely bought costumes which meant that my Mom made them. She was really good at it and could come up with excellent ones out of nowhere. My favorite of the ones she made me was for a kids party. What was I? A wind-up doll. Seriously!
Mom put me in a white blouse and pinafore dress my sister had used when she played Dorothy in a school production of the Wizard of Oz. Sue was always the lead because she was so good. Anyway, Mom then made up my face like a doll and created a wind-up key out of cardboard and aluminum foil. Somehow she got it to stick out of my back, which wasn't easy, try it sometime. Unfortunately I have no pictures of it, we didn’t take pictures for every little occasion back then, but I was told I was really cute.
So just in case you parents out there ever wonder if your kids will remember the special things you do for them, they will. This was over 40 years ago and it's still one of my favorite memories. It may take them a while to admit it, but kids do appreciate the things you do for them. Even when they're made out of cardboard and aluminum foil.
As a Christian I have mixed feelings about it now because the adults seem to have taken it over and it has gotten very disturbing. Still that's not the point of this post, so I will move on. Anyway, we rarely bought costumes which meant that my Mom made them. She was really good at it and could come up with excellent ones out of nowhere. My favorite of the ones she made me was for a kids party. What was I? A wind-up doll. Seriously!
Mom put me in a white blouse and pinafore dress my sister had used when she played Dorothy in a school production of the Wizard of Oz. Sue was always the lead because she was so good. Anyway, Mom then made up my face like a doll and created a wind-up key out of cardboard and aluminum foil. Somehow she got it to stick out of my back, which wasn't easy, try it sometime. Unfortunately I have no pictures of it, we didn’t take pictures for every little occasion back then, but I was told I was really cute.
So just in case you parents out there ever wonder if your kids will remember the special things you do for them, they will. This was over 40 years ago and it's still one of my favorite memories. It may take them a while to admit it, but kids do appreciate the things you do for them. Even when they're made out of cardboard and aluminum foil.
