by Julie, summering in Somerville
I have been reading a great list of books in preparation for moderating a panel at Bouchercon. The Hook: Books, Victorian Architecture, and Other Excitement in Cozy Mysteries with Edith Maxwell/Maddie Day, Jenn McKinlay, Kate Carlisle, and Marty Wingate. (Thursday at 2pm!)
Panel preparation is different than reading for enjoyment. I’m trying to find good questions to ask the panel that propel the conversation in ways that interest the audience. Late in July I was part of a reading like a writer panel about The Murder of Roger Ackroyd I did for Sisters in Crime.
Once you start reading like a writer, you can’t stop. My niece recommend a lovely book called The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston. The book is a paranormal romance that’s also a page turner. I don’t read a lot of romances, and this made me wonder why not. This also made me think about what it takes to write a romance. I write mysteries with some romance, but writing a romance with a mystery, and maybe ghosts, is a different adventure.
Another niece and her friends play a game that is sort of like Dungeons and Dragons, but it’s called Monsterhearts. Roleplaying and dice. She mentioned that she thought I would be good at creating stories for games, and I’ve been thinking about that. Role playing games for people over fifty. First I have to learn how to play D&D, or a game like it. But I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.
I’ve also been gravitating towards shows that mash things up a bit. Did anyone see Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ? Visually stunning, narratively interesting, and unexpected. Also a cliff hanger that ticked me off, but I digress. I loved being surprised. Barbie was another movie that surprised me in wonderful ways.
I’m working on a few ideas, but this summer has made me think. I’ve been pushing myself to level up my prose. But how can I surprise myself? Try something new? Mash up another genre? Write in a different format?
Here’s what I know. I’m ready for a new adventure.
Friends, have you read or watched something recently that surprised or delighted you?
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