Late Night Musings--Friends, Characters, and Other Unpredicable Things

I've been using my blog posts on Killer Hobbies lately to support other mystery writers--specifically by hosting them here on Thursdays.  What fun to see the diverse mysteries out there and learn about the interests of the authors that create them! 

Meanwhile, I've been heads down writing the first draft of my fourth Downward Dog Mystery, tentatively titled A TWISTED DEATH.  So heads down, in fact, that it's 11:30 at night on Wednesday, and I just realized I need to write a blog post by midnight! 

Since the only thing I think about right now is book 4, that's what I'll share.  It's fun to revisit Kate and crew and to see how Kate's life continues to unfold.  Much to my surprise, a minor character has forced herself into a larger role in the book and is transforming under my very fingers.

Tiffany--Kate's arch nemesis who has been vying for boyfriend Michael's attention--is unbelievably emerging as a teacher of sorts for Kate.  Even more surprising, she's wiggling her way into Kate's heart.  A few pages ago, Kate even called her a friend. (GASP!)

None of this is a spoiler, and you'll have to get through book three, KARMA'S A KILLER, to see the start of this relationship unfold, but I'm continually surprised at how characters seem to write themselves, and how they often refuse to follow the path I've set for them. Kind of like my friends in real life, darn them anyway.

Since  characters come from the minds of their creators, I have to wonder:  Is Tiffany teaching me something, too?  is something in me changing so that I see her in a new light?  Only time will tell.

The draft is currently at about 65,000 words, so there is still time for Tiffany to change her mind.  And, of course, all of my characters morph significantly in drafts two through thirty. If anyone knows how the story will end, I sure wish they'd tell me.

My goal is to have this first draft finished by July 31, and (knock on wood) I think I'll make it.  You, my lovely readers, won't get to witness the birth of my 4th  written child until 18 months later.  I promise, it will be worth the wait.

In the meantime, you can preorder book three, KARMA'S A KILLER and catch up on Kate, Bella, and the rest of the gang.  I'm hesitant to say it, but KARMA'S A KILLER is my favorite book of the series so far. I hope you agree with me.  Writing it has been as healing for me as living it has been for Kate.

The next three weeks' posts will be back to guest writers, but I promise you'll hear from me again soon.  In the mean time, wish me luck writing!

Happy reading!

Tracy Weber

You can preorder KARMA'S A KILLER, book three of the Downward Dog Mysteries now at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Yee haw, yippee, and yahooey!