Writing the Cozy Mystery (Magical Mystery Tour Part 2!)

Ruthy here, happily welcoming the mega talented, award-winning suspense and mystery writer Nancy Mehl! Nancy is doing Part 2 of our ongoing "How to be a Mystery Writer" Magical Mystery Tour series... and her advice is well-taken! Nancy, I've got coffee and cranberry muffins in honor of our Mysteries of Martha's Vineyard series that we're working on together... And Nancy will come by to answer any questions you might have about penning that first whodunnit! 

                                                                   

Ask almost any reader to explain what defines a mystery novel and most will respond with definite characteristics they feel should be present in this popular genre. However, ask the same reader to explain the elements of a “cozy” mystery and you may see a look of confusion creep across their face. So just what makes a mystery “cozy?”

The most fundamental elements in cozy mystery are fairly easy to define. First of all, there will be a basically bloodless crime that may happen “offstage.” In other words, by the time our amateur detective arrives on the scene, the dirty deed has already been done. Now, our sleuth, who is usually female, must solve the mystery because of circumstances she cannot avoid. In other words, the crime involves her directly in some way. This is true with any mystery, but in a cozy, many times the reasons behind her involvement are much more personal. Other signs that you’ve cracked open a cozy involve a small, confined setting; the lack of profanity and sexual content; a protagonist with an interesting hobby or job; and memorable, quirky characters. Also, many cozies are drawn with a touch of humor. Some go further, actually adding some giggles to the usual nasty business of murder and mayhem. Now let’s look a little more closely at each of these elements.

This is NOT a shameless Ruthy plug.... but this is the first book of the series Nancy and I are part of! There are 24 books scheduled, and we'll each write 3 of them. And we're having so much fun in our fictional Martha's Vineyard world!

One very important trait of a cozy mystery revolves around “location, location, location!” Cozies take place in confined settings, thereby drawing upon a small cast of characters and suspects. In other words, the killer can’t be someone passing though town who simply decides to “off” a few of the town’s gentle citizens!  The “investigation” needs to involve only the characters presented within this setting. You can use a small town (like Tisbuy, Massachusetts, in the Mysteries of Martha’s Vineyard), a ship, even an old hotel or isolated castle. This restricted location keeps the mystery contained – and the world out. Since cozies are not police procedurals, many times the setting will actually cut down on official involvement. For example – a woman goes to visit an old friend who has turned an old Victorian-styled church into a bed and breakfast. Someone staying at the inn is murdered while a storm rages outside. The bridge to town is washed out, leaving our protagonist, the surrounding characters, and the murderer caught like rats in a trap. Of course, since our characters can’t get out, the police can’t get in. Now the fun begins! One caveat: if you draw law enforcement into your story, you need to be as accurate as you can. Again, police in rural towns may not be as “by the book” as say, detectives in New York City, but don’t fudge the details past the limits of believability. For my “Ivy Towers Series,” I consulted an actual deputy sheriff who worked in rural areas of Kansas. This helped me to “keep it real” for my readers.

Addressing the overwhelming glut of mysteries on the market with language and sexual scenes that would have caused my grandmother to “swoon,” brings a mixed bag of opinions from mystery authors and readers alike. However, I believe cozies should be “gentle” mysteries. In keeping with this idea, no “harsh” profanity or lurid “boudoir” passages should be present. Usually, cozy mysteries are selected by readers who specifically want to avoid graphic words and images. Of course, in an inspirational cozy, this point is non-negotiable. No profanity allowed at all! In fact, various inspirational publishers have different standards. One publisher bans the use of “Holy cow!” while another has no problem with it. In my book, “There Goes Santa Claus,” upon finding a dead Santa Claus that has fallen off his roof, Amos Tucker greets the sight with “J-Jumpin’ Jehosaphat, Ivy. I think we just killed Santa Claus!” Many of today’s contemporary mystery novels might have offered language a little more colorful!

Now, on to s-e-x. Cozies should contain little or no sexual content. In inspirational cozy, there can be romance, but sex only occurs between married couples – and it definitely happens offstage! Remember the old black and white movies where the couple kissed, the camera swung away from them, and in the night sky behind them fireworks exploded? You got the idea without the embarrassing details!

A current trend in cozies gives our amateur detective an interesting hobby or job that adds an element of interest. Of course, this isn’t always true. Although Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple was an interesting character, her creativity expressed itself most clearly in her mental acumen. However, today’s heroines can be hairdressers, interior designers, own antique stores, be cooks, quilters or may be characterized by some other specific professional or personal involvement. And “county coroner” doesn’t work here. It’s difficult to make that funny. In my “Curl Up and Dye” mystery series, my protagonist, Hilde Higgins, is a hairdresser – for funeral homes. That’s about as dark as you can get. One side note: I came up with this idea because I was joking with my agent one day about all the “hooks” being used by mystery authors. We agreed that the hairdressing sleuth had been done. My mention of someone who worked in a funeral home brought the revelation of another author who was already writing a similar series. As a joke, I mentioned a hairdresser who works for funeral homes. The concept got burned into my imagination and the “Curl Up and Dye” mysteries were born.

Another “cozy” element involves likeable, “quirky” characters drawn with humor, who appear to have something “mysterious” in their backgrounds. These characters can all be possible suspects. Be careful though, not to paint a picture of someone who seems completely innocent and then surprise your reader at the last minute by making him the murderer. Mystery fans, including cozy mystery fans, ask you to play fair. Hints must be dropped and clues must be scattered! And whatever you do, pick up all your clues by the end of your story and explain. Mystery buffs don’t like to be left hanging. Never forget a cozy mystery is still a mystery and as an author, you must play by the rules.

In conclusion, cozy mysteries are stories presented as gentle gifts to be unwrapped while the reader snuggles under their favorite quilt and sips hot tea or cappuccino. Inspirational cozies should not only warm the heart but should also touch the spirit.  They will never shock the reader or cause them to upend their cappuccino. (A little laughter might cause a small spill – but in a cozy, this reaction is perfectly acceptable!)

And today we've got a wonderful book to give away... so leave a comment when you grab a cuppa and we'll throw your name into the Sherlock Holmes hat! 

Nancy Mehl – Short Bio
Nancy Mehl is a best-selling, award winning author who lives in Missouri, with her husband, Norman, and her Puggle, Watson. She’s authored almost thirty books and is currently writing a new series for Bethany House Publishing based on the U.S. Marshals. The first book, FATAL FROST, in her Defenders of Justice Series, released on November 1^st, 2016. The second book, DARK DECEPTION, hit store shelves in June of 2017. Book three, BLIND BETRAYAL, will be released in the spring of 2018. She is also working on a new cozy mystery series for Guideposts, The Mysteries of Martha’s Vineyard.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

Readers can learn more about Nancy through her Web site: www.nancymehl.com. She is part of The Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com, along with several other popular suspense authors. She is also very active on Facebook.

Nancy's newest suspense novel:

Please welcome our Guest Nancy Mehl

Settings, Backstory and Descriptions

One of the toughest things for writers to handle well has to do with telling readers about settings, explaining backstory, and communicating personal descriptions. Many times, long passages of narration (exposition) are used to tackle this issue, but narration will actually slow down your story. I encourage writers, whenever possible, to use dialogue to accomplish these goals.

Let’s look at two ways of writing the same scene. In one example I’ll use exposition to describe the setting.

Sarah gazed around the room. The walls were painted an awful shade of green, and the floors were covered with chipped, pink linoleum. She pulled out a chair from one of the broken tables and inspected it carefully. Deciding it was clean enough to risk sitting on, she carefully lowered herself onto the cracked plastic. Bringing the abandoned café back to life would take more work than she was willing to do alone. If the Breadbasket Café ever welcomed customers again, Roger would have to roll up his sleeves and pitch in. Years ago, the Breadbasket had been the most successful business in the small town of Dunfield. But that was a long, long time ago. Sarah ran a finger down the middle of the dusty wooden table. Maybe this was a lost cause.

Now, let’s do the same thing with dialogue:

                “Wow. I had no idea this place was such a mess,” Sarah said, gazing around.

                “The Breadbasket closed a long time ago, Sarah.” Roger frowned at her. “What did you expect?”

                She shook her head. “I don’t know. But not this.”

                “The whole place needs to be redone. This awful green paint on the walls reminds me of mold.”

                Sarah grinned. “But it looks so good with the pink floor.”

                Roger didn’t smile. “We’d have to pull all of the linoleum up. Even if the color wasn’t disgusting, it’s badly chipped.”

                Sarah pulled out a chair and after inspecting it, sat down gingerly on the cracked plastic seat. “Look, this place used to be the most popular business in town. If we work hard, we can bring it back.”

                Roger grunted and sat down on the other side of the dusty wooden table. “Dunfield has a population of six hundred people. Most of them farmers who live out of town. I’m afraid you’ll never get enough customers to make all the effort worthwhile.”

                She looked at Roger through narrowed eyes. “But I want this.”

                Roger stared back at her. “I don’t.”

Through dialogue, we’ve brought two characters into the scene, and almost all the exposition detailing the setting has been replaced with dialogue. The backstory about the café and the town of Dunfield was also revealed through dialogue. I also used Roger, a secondary character, to create conflict for Sarah. We know that Sarah needs Roger’s help, but Roger isn’t in agreement. The second example is much more active and interesting than the first. When you need to share setting, descriptions, back story or conflict, use dialogue!

Now, what about describing your characters? Painting pictures of your characters can be much more interesting if you allow another character to do it instead of using narrative passages. Here’s an example:

Instead of:

Sarah had dark red hair, green eyes, and a dimple in her chin.

How about:

“I wish I looked like you,” Tonya said as Sarah stood in front of the mirror on her dresser, combing her hair.

                Sarah laughed. “Don’t be silly. You have gorgeous blond hair and beautiful blue eyes. Why would you want to look like me?”

                Tonya fell back on Sarah’s bed and stared up at the ceiling. “You don’t know anything, do you? Blond hair is so out. Redheads are the rage. And your eyes. Wow. Green eyes and red hair. You’ve got it all.”

                Sarah shook her head. “You’re goofy. I suppose you think this stupid hole in my chin looks good.”

                “An angel’s kiss.”

                Sarah giggled. “You’re losing it.”

                Tonya smiled dreamily. “My mom told me once that dimples mean you were kissed by an angel.”

                Sarah frowned. “But you don’t have any dimples.”

                Tonya sat up and grinned at her friend. “Yes, I do. But you’ll never see them.”

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Two other important things to remember! Whether it’s your setting or your characters, don’t dump all your descriptions at once, even when you’re using dialogue. Weave these tidbits throughout your story. The only exception to this has to do with your lead character and his or her love interest. Readers want to get a clear picture of them early so they can concentrate on their story.

Don’t over describe your characters! Give just enough information so that your reader will be able to create their own images. Engaging a reader’s imagination will cause them to be more invested in your story.

Leave a comment to get your name in a drawing for a copy of Unbreakable

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband Norman and her very active puggle, Watson. She’s authored fourteen books and is currently at work on a new series for Bethany House Publishing. The first book in her Road to Kingdom series, “Inescapable,” came out in July of 2012. The second book, “Unbreakable” released in February of 2013.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

Readers can learn more about Nancy through her Web site: www.nancymehl.com or her blog www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com. She is also active on Facebook.

Guest Nancy Mehl--Reviewing the Reviewers

Reviewing the “Reviewers”

Nancy Mehl

When your first book is published, many times it’s through self-publishing or with a small or mid-list publisher. Once it’s out, reviews are like catnip to a usually docile cat. Your friends and family, who believe with all their hearts that your words like nuggets of pure gold, praise you all over Amazon and wherever else your book shows up. Surely you are the embodiment of Dickens, Shakespeare, and Nicholas Sparks all rolled into one. (Now that’s a scary thought!) Every couple of hours, you click on Amazon to see if another wonderful review has magically appeared. Yep, there’s one from Uncle Joe. Like that aforementioned feline, you’re high on “the nip,” jumping around, grinning like that euphoric Cheshire kitty from Alice’s world. Of course, you may be a little concerned about those dang Amazon numbers that don’t seem to move. Surely the only people reading your book aren’t your friends and family members who got free copies. But…other writers explain patiently that no one really understands Amazon anyway, so you decide to blithely ignore those silly numbers and sniff another line of nip. Besides…there’s a five star review from Aunt Sally!

And then one day a miracle happens. You get an offer from a large publisher that will actually place your book in bookstores! No more begging local merchants for shelf space while you feel like Oliver Twist pleading, “Please, sir. May I have some more?” They point toward the dreaded “Local Interest” section that is always in the back of the store – in the darkest corner. Not anymore! It’s the end cap for you! People you don’t know will actually be reading your book. Hallelujah! Now the fun begins. Your book comes out and you wait for the raves to start. After all, your mom, your best friend Ethel, and your aunt and uncle believe in you. Surely the rest of the world feels the same way! Wait until they discover your genius! You click over to Amazon and… Oh, my. What??? After you pick yourself up off the floor and check your glasses, you start to wonder if you’ve been imagining this deep well of talent that has propelled you to greatness. Could Aunt Sally be wrong? Surely your mother wasn’t lying to protect your feelings. WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?????

Your red-rimmed eyes take in comments like:

“I wanted to like this book but…”

“…flat characters and a silly plot.”

“Don’t waste your money on this book.”

“I will never read another book by this author again.”

“This author’s mother wears a tin foil hat and dirty sneakers.”

Okay, I made up that last one. But you get the idea.

So…what has happened? Easy, you’ve entered the wonderful world of “real” book reviews. I used quotes on the word “real” because authors need to understand that many of these reviews aren’t as “real” as they seem.

Before I present the “balanced” side of book reviews, may I let off a little steam? You’re welcome to skip this part of the article and pick it up a few paragraphs down. That’s where I present sound and logical advice. But this next part? I will be peering into the deep, dark part of the writer’s brain we all try to hide. The truth we’d never admit to in public. But I’d bet my Strunk and White that almost every single author has had these thoughts. Except me, of course. I would never…(Cough, cough.) Never mind.

What we’d like to say to these people who write bad reviews:

“Excuse me? One star? You asked people to save their money and pass on my book? Where do you work? You work at Starbucks? Let’s see how you like it when I come in this afternoon and announce to everyone there that your lattes are lame and your frappuccinos flop. Oh, and while I’m at it, I’d like to say a few words to your boss. What? I could cost you your job? Your income? Has it occurred to you that your lousy review affects me the same way?”

“You talk to your mother with that mouth? When you’re in church this Sunday and the pastor talks about edifying and blessing your brothers and sisters, will you remember those nasty things you said about my book?”

“By the way, Miss Book Reviewer, you got the name of my main character wrong! You also gave away a major plot point! Not cool!”

Well, you get the picture. Not the classiest way to respond. Nor the correct way either. But the truth remains that if any author turned the tables and lambasted a reviewer, that critic would be mortally offended, even angered. It’s happened a few times – and the results weren’t pretty. In this situation, turnabout is definitely NOT fair play. In truth, most of us will never take a chance on “reviewing the reviewers.” How do we handle the rush of resentment that flairs up when we read an unfair review? The important thing to remember is that most of these reviews are not from professional reviewers. They are from people. People with prejudices and opinions. Many times the review actually has very little to do with your writing ability. It has more to do with personal taste. And yes, it does feel unjust when someone blasts you for silly things.

Here are some real examples from actual reviews. This is from one of my books:

Charity, a six-year-old still takes naps, yet, most every night, she can hardly keep her eyes open. She is content to sit all day and color. Hmm, I don't remember my children acting like this.

What? You gave the book three stars because a child in my book took too many naps???? Really???

This is from a review for another author:

“…whilst giving you a distorted, indeed bigoted, picture of faiths not their own. It is ideologues like ***** who have given Christianity a bad name, such that their Founder would not recognize his teaching amid the wreckage modern fundies have made of it.”

Um…what????? A least the language was…medieval.

And to me, one of the funniest review comments ever:

I will never read anything by you again because you named a town “Intercourse.”

Wow. Those folks in Pennsylvania better take to wearing ski masks.

So…how does a well-balanced writer deal with reviews like these? I dunno. Let me go and ask one… I mean, here’s what every writer must understand if they’re going to tread safely through the delicate mine field of book reviews:

ALL reviews are subjective. What does that mean? It means, that just because Betty Sue hates everything you do, her opinion doesn’t matter one whit more than Cindy Lynn who loves each word that flows through your magic fingers. In fact, it should mean less. People see things in different ways. I imagine that the reviewer who hates my sleepy child character has issues. Many times, in inspirational fiction, it could be something you’ve said that doesn’t line up with the reviewer’s doctrine. They can’t say that because they’d sound like a religious bigot. So…suddenly little, unimportant things become huge stumbling blocks. And the reader who loves you? Something you said impacted them in a positive way. And isn’t that the reason you write? Isn’t it more important that the “naps issue?”

Okay, what about the professional reviewers? Folks who do this for a living? They’re still people. They can be wrong. But…they can also be right. When I first started out, I listened carefully to these folks. I still do. Through their insight I began to identify patterns, and it helped me immensely. Through their help, and trying to develop a humble spirit, I improved my writing. I owe them a lot. Even the crabby ones.

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To all the writers out there: Reviews are just opinions. That’s it. You have to know yourself well enough to sort the grain from the chaff. When twenty people rave about your characters and one person calls them “flat,” you can toss that negative comment out if you know yourself and your writing. If you know that creating characters is one of your strengths, why would you listen to someone you don’t know who makes a comment that doesn’t ring true? Your mind is not a garbage can. Don’t store trash in it. Knowing who to listen to and who to tune out is one of the greatest weapons you’ll ever have as a writer. Now if several reviewers mention one thing over and over – pay attention. You will learn from it. Reader/reviewers have important things to say, and repeated concerns are usually valid. But when I get a nasty review that’s just goofy – or doesn’t make sense - I tell myself, “Well, I guess I wasn’t writing for that person.” Besides, don’t the letters and emails we get, thanking us for writing something that touched someone personally, mean more than all the other reviews put together? Of course they do. Those are the comments that should remain.

To the reviewers: Be kind. 1 Corinthians 13 isn’t just for Sunday. You need to know that authors DO see their reviews. Especially when a book first releases. Remember that this is their job. Their livelihood. Take that seriously. I worked as a book reviewer for many years. A professional book reviewer for my state’s largest newspaper. Got paid and everything. I NEVER WROTE A NEGATIVE REVIEW. Does that mean I gave everyone a good review? No. If all I could do was just give a synopsis, I did that. If the book was really bad, I simply made an excuse and refused to review it. Maybe you feel some special calling to “be honest with your review.” Bully for you. I feel a special calling not to leave people hurt and bruised by my opinions. How you spend your life is your decision. If unleashing your point of view in an unkind manner is something you’re not willing to compromise, go for it. But before you press “send,” you might give your words one final perusal. Did you sprinkle your review with pithy, hurtful phrases to showcase your incredible deftness with words? Or did you speak the truth in love? (That’s scripture, by the way.) Many times, the kind way to present your negative remarks could be framed as follows: “This is only my opinion. Someone else might really enjoy this book.” Flat out condemning a book as if your point of view is the only right one is unnecessary. Because it’s not.

One important note: Most casual (not full-time) reviewers work hard to review books simply because they love them. Many times there are children at their feet and supper waiting to be made. Even so, they put their hearts and souls into promoting our books – and we should appreciate them. And I do. Many of them have made me cry. The good way. Please understand that without you, we’d have a limited chance to get the word out. We love you. We really do. It’s okay to gush, and it’s okay to say a certain book isn’t for you. No problem there. My other comments are really for folks who are needlessly unkind. They are in the minority. You are in the majority. We respect your time and your dedication. Thank you so much.

Back to the writers: Take the good. Listen to the bad. Keep what’s useful and toss out what isn’t. Don’t be snotty. Don’t comment back on Amazon. (Yes, I know I did this once or twice, but I’m growing!), and most of all…forgive.

And always remember this: When I get in a snit, God whispers these words to me. “You said you wanted to follow this path. This is part of it. Do we go on? Or do we quit?”

To that I say…”Go, Lord! Go!”

LEAVE  A COMMENT TO GET YOUR NAME IN THE DRAWING FOR A CHANCE TO WIN INESCAPABLE!

Inescapable

Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, her family, and her faith with plans never to return. Five years later, Lizzie finds she'll have to run again. False accusations at her job, a stalker, and a string of anonymous threatening letters have left her with no other options. This time, however, her escape is back to Kingdom, her hometown.
As Lizzie becomes reacquainted with Kingdom, she realizes she may not have left her Mennonite roots and her faith as firmly in the past as she thought. She draws on the support of Noah Housler, an old friend, as she hides out and attempts to plan her next steps. When it becomes painfully clear that the danger has followed Lizzie to Kingdom, suspicions and tensions run high, and she no longer knows who to trust. With her life and the lives of those she loves at risk, Lizzie will have to run one last time--to a Father whose love is inescapable.

BIO – Nancy Mehl

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman and her very active puggle, Watson. She’s authored twelve books and is currently at work on her newest series for Bethany House Publishing. The first book, “Inescapable,”released this month.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,”Nancy says. “God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

She and her husband attend Believer’s Tabernacle in Wichita.

Find Nancy online:

http://www.nancymehl.com/

http://www.nancymehl.blogspot.com/