Author R&R wth Wendy Gee
[image error]After a successful career in the U.S. Navy, Wendy Gee now channels her boundless energy into community volunteering, leaving no stone unturned—or unpainted—at the Charleston Fire Department, Friends of the Lewes Public Library Board of Directors, and Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. A proud graduate of the University of Michigan, University of Arizona, Naval War College, and Old Dominion University, Wendy combines her academic prowess and life experiences into her writing. Residing in Lewes, DE, she is an avid golfer, a diehard Detroit Tigers and Lions fan (even when they’re not winning, but so excited when they are), and a pickleball enthusiast who’s always ready to serve up some fun. Her work has been shortlisted with Killer Nashville and the Writer’s League of Texas. And as a lifetime member of Sisters in Crime, Wendy’s passion for the mystery genre is no secret—though she might leave a few clues lying around just for fun.
[image error]In Gee’s novel, Fleet Landing, ATF Special Agent Cooper “Coop” Bellamy's rigid adherence to rules has left his relationship with his 11-year-old daughter in ashes. When Charleston's fire chief calls him to investigate a series of mysterious nuisance fires ravaging the city, Coop sees a chance to redeem himself as a father and catch a dangerous arsonist. But as the fires turn deadly, he finds himself torn between family and duty.
Enter tenacious TV reporter Sydney Quinn, whose pursuit of justice for a man wrongly convicted of arson puts her on a collision course with a sinister figure known only as the Falcon. As Sydney uncovers a decades-old conspiracy, she receives chilling warnings to back off.
Forced to work together, Coop and Sydney must navigate a labyrinth of lies and corruption. Their investigation ignites a powder keg of danger, testing Coop's ironclad principles and Sydney's journalistic integrity. But when danger strikes too close to home, the stakes become personal. With time running out and lives on the line, Coop and Sydney must fight to extinguish the threat before everything they love goes up in smoke.
Wendy Gee stops by In Reference to Murder to take some Author R&R about researching and writing her debut novel:
Confessions of a New Mystery Writer
Mystery novels have captivated readers for centuries. From Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, to Stephanie Plum, these stories offer more than just entertainment; they challenge our minds and keep us guessing until the very end. As a new writer in this genre, I seized the opportunity to create a world filled with intrigue and characters that I hope will linger long after the last page is turned.
My journey started as an avid reader rather than an aspiring author who dreamed of crafting the great American novel. That role was true until the day an Indie bookseller turned me on to the local writer’s guild. I initially felt like an interloper among the published elite, but there I learned a most valuable lesson: The writing community is charitable and encouraging.
As a freshly minted writer, I find myself both exhilarated and slightly terrified. It’s been like stepping into an Agatha Christie novel without knowing whether I’m Poirot, Marple, or just another red herring. And the thrill of crafting clues that lead readers on an adventurous chase is unparalleled. I find I have notebooks filled with scribbles about secret codes, hidden passages, and suspicious alibis which I hope will lead to unexpected twists.
My debut novel, FLEET LANDING, is actually the second story I developed. The original manuscript was so convoluted it just didn’t work. When I tossed that one into the dumpster, it proved to many of my friends and critique partners that my instincts were solid and I could move forward. Even so, this mediocre effort afforded insight into creating technical bones: character development, scene structure, narrative description, internal monologue, dialog, and so forth. And I discovered what I thought were my strengths at the onset proved to be my greatest weaknesses. I was amused that what I considered shortcomings actually came quite naturally to me.
I readily admit my writing style is not organic per se, or what the community labels a pantser. I’m not a rigid plotter either. I’d categorize myself as a tweener who road maps the big story points like a plotter (so I know where to maneuver each scene), yet I leave sufficient latitude for making adjustments (like those fearless and creative pantsers).
The inspiration for FLEET LANDING was the easiest component. My big idea came from melding two divergent storylines that were loosely ripped from the news. For research, I accepted an invitation to be a volunteer in the Fire Marshal Division. I was assigned clerical duties to assist the team, but that gave me invaluable access to real firefighters and fire investigators who had many stories to tell. I did plenty of research to ensure accuracy and realism. I am truly indebted to them for welcoming me into the fold. I hope I did them proud, and will continue to do so in future manuscripts.
The hardest part was the countless rewrites. Yet, that’s also where the fun captivated me as a new writer. I wanted to incorporate what I’d learned in craft classes and workshops, while actually putting words on the page. Lots of words, lots of pages. Lots of deleting extraneous words.
I’ve since learned writers have a love/hate relationship with rewrites and editing. I’m driving my stake firmly in the LOVE it camp. Perhaps because I’m still developing my skills and instincts, the second draft (and third, fourth, and fifth) is another chance to hone the story.
In FLEET LANDING, I also wanted to try my hand at a little social commentary. I believe the world is a marvelous place, even as we navigate the turbulence of injustice, inequality, and whatever personal baggage we carry on the trip. The challenge in my story was to tell things honestly, without melodrama or cliché.
Through this endeavor, diving deeper into mystery writing has taught me much about patience, perseverance, and creativity. Each element must be crafted to ensure a seamless flow, with enough tension and suspense. Every clue needs a purpose. Every character requires motivation. Readers deserve nothing less than an immersive experience where they can lose themselves unraveling the complex enigma presented to them. I hope I have successfully bridged the delicate balance between revealing and concealing information and it keeps the pages turning. I truly hope you enjoy FLEET LANDING.
You can learn more about Wendy Gee via her website and follow her on Goodreads. Fleet Landing is now available via all major booksellers.
Related StoriesMedia Murder for Monday
