#IWSG Cliffhangers: Thumbs Up or Down?

 

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG

The awesome co-hosts for the December 4 posting of the IWSG are Ronel, Deniz, Pat Garcia, Olga Godim, and Cathrina Constantine!

The IWSG question for Dec. 4, 2024 is:

Do you write cliffhangers at the end of your stories?

Are they a turn-off to you as a writer and/or a reader?

I have never ended a story with a cliffhanger and am not a fan of cliffhangers as a reader. Even Kathy Reichs’ endless “cliffhanger” chapter endings were irritating to me because they felt so contrived. 

Recently I read a C.J. Box “Joe Pickett” novel that ended with a main character’s plotline ending in a cliffhanger. The continuing plotline obviously required a novel of its own to tell the story and I had the next book already on the shelf so was not faced with a long wait. (And, after all, it was C.J. Box!) However, several reviewers were not so forgiving.

These days my writing is confined to researching and composing short stories - with no cliffhangers. And soon after the start of the Covid era, I began binge-reading series novels that have a beginning, middle, and satisfying ending in each book – again, no cliffhangers. But authors who choose to use the cliffhanger technique to keep their fans interested and returning for more are aware of the success of cliffhanger endings in serial stories of olden-day newspaper weeklies and radio presentations. And their willing fans are aware of each cliffhanger, a win-win relationship of their choosing.

*****

Hawaii Tradition to Hang Loose #AlohaFriday

White hibiscus - subtropical flower with 5 petals

There was a time when #AlohaFriday meant time to celebrate. "It's Aloha Friday, no work 'til Monday" are the catchy lyrics of a familiar song. But so many jobs today require shifting schedules and mandatory overtime that the term "weekend" could indicate not the traditional Saturday-Sunday, but Tuesday-Wednesday; or even worse, Monday/Thursday. And that's not taking into consideration work schedules of on-call Doctors and Nurses; Ambulance EMTs & Firefighters; Police Officers and Detectives.

#AlohaFriday also meant end-of-week casual wear, wearing an Aloha shirt (think Magnum P.I.) or a flowing dress/muumuu rather than business attire on the last workday of the week. Obviously, that applied to workers who did not wear more standard uniforms of the job.

Sending a shaka from Diamond Head on #AlohaFriday

For those working from home since the days of mandatory shutdowns, pajama bottoms were often the new #Alohawear most mornings. And many writers' schedules have always been sporadic at best.

I still like to celebrate #AlohaFriday, if for no other reason than "Who doesn't like to celebrate?" It's also a good way to remind myself to "hang loose!"

*****

IWSG & Happy Thanksgiving

 

Due to a death in the family, I am unable to participate in November's IWSG blog post.

May you all be safe and have an enjoyable Thanksgiving.

I look forward to posting again in December.

Wai-nani - A Voice From Old Hawai'i

Author Linda Ballou is an avid travel writer who began her own travels by moving from Alaska to live on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai for a year. During her stay in Hawaii, Linda became enamored with the historical figure, Ka'ahumanu, the first and favorite wife of Ka'mahama, the king of Hawaii who conquered and united the Hawaiian Islands, not including Kauai.

Along with her travel books, Linda wrote a fictionalized short story of her experiences on Kauai in Love Bird Cafe, featuring the lovable parrot, Barfly (a non-fiction character!) Having wanted to read Linda's novel about Ka'ahumanu, entitled Wai-nani -A Voice from Old Hawai'i, for some time now, the scheduled meeting was my call to action.

Wai-nani - A Voice From Old Hawai'i - a book review:

 

Young Wai-nani, sleek and defiant, escapes the confines of her role within a royal family of the Hawaiian Islands to explore in untethered freedom. Her chosen companion is a creature of the sea she thrives in, a dolphin she calls Eku.

Soon she meets and falls in love with a young warrior, and in defiance of an arranged marriage, she weds Makaha, who will one day become a king. But Wai-nani's rebellious nature keeps her at odds with the kapu laws restraining women within society and soon she escapes once again the chains of confinement.

In this novel, Linda Ballou offers an interesting and educational rendering of the lives of King Kamehameha and his first wife, Ka'ahumanu. The story offers a realistic portrait of life in the Hawaiian Islands of the 1700s, a tumultuous time of warring tribes fighting for domination in the name of unity in an isolated string of Pacific islands. 

Take time to explore the poetic passages of this tale; experience the contrasts of tropical sun beating down on fertile soil and thundering waves pounding a stormy sea. This story is a mix of contrasts and conflicts, with satisfying conclusions.

*****

#IWSG Ghost Stories for October

 

Insecure Writer's Support Group:
IWSG Sign-up (insecurewriterssupportgroup.com)

Welcome to IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It's a haven for insecure writers of all kinds. IWSG is the brainchild of our fearless ninja leader Alex Cavanaugh. The awesome co-hosts for the October 2 posting of the IWSG are Nancy Gideon, Jennifer Lane, Jacqui Murray, and Natalie Aguirre!

October 2 question - Ghost stories fit right in during this month. What's your favorite classic ghostly tale? Tell us about it and why it sends chills up your spine.

My fascination with ghost stories emerged in the early 1990s, shortly after I moved to Honolulu and began learning about local supernatural lore by participating in one of college professor Glen Grant's nighttime ghost tours around the island of O'ahu.

Thrilling tales of night marchers (the spirits of Hawaiian warriors roaming the countryside where ancient battles were fought) and eerie appearances by Madame Pele, the goddess of Hawaiian volcanoes, are at the top of my list for "chicken skin" stories, along with tales set at Kaena Point, the leaping off spot for souls of the recently departed.

The Lost Little Girl of Manoa Valley, a story involving a little girl found crying in a local cemetery late one rainy evening, (of course it was "a dark and stormy night"!) is one of many unsettling though entertaining ghost stories in Glen Grant's book, Chicken Skin Tales. Although I was raised across the road from a cemetery and have never found cemeteries particularly scary, this story set my spine tingling because the finer details of the spiritual encounter make the experience truly believable.

*****

Kaena Point, northeastern O'ahu

End of the line

Me - not planning to leap off anytime soon!

*****

#IWSG The Benefit of Writing Rules 9/4/2024

 

Insecure Writer's Support Group:
IWSG Sign-up (insecurewriterssupportgroup.com)

Welcome to IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It's a haven for insecure writers of all kinds. IWSG is the brainchild of our fearless ninja leader Alex Cavanaugh. Thank you to the awesome cohosts for the September 4 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Jean Davis, Yvonne Ventresca, and PJ Colando!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

Remember, the question is optional!

__________

September 4 question - Since it's back to school time, let's talk English class. What's a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?

The rule "Write What You Know" could have easily set me up for failure. To me, the wording implied that a writer should not attempt to write about anything in which they are lacking knowledge. I had some experience with police work after working as a police reservist and part time peace officer for five years. I also had experience working in a hospital, and years of experience working for insurance companies. But I had never fired a gun at anyone or been shot at - for any reason. Nor had I served in war, known the first thing about gas gangrene, adoptions in Vietnam, or the first thing about Carrara marble.

Yikes, what's a writer to do? Quit? Or learn how to utilize the library for research through books and the use of fiche machines? My first mystery novel came about mostly thanks to libraries. Later, of course, the Internet and Google took over. But only after I better understood that "writing what you know" meant picking a topic you are comfortable with writing about and then doing the research to fill in whatever information you don't already know.

How do you interpret the rule "Write What You Know?"

*****

Wandering Hawaiian Volcanic Hotspot - ERUPTION

Eruption on volcanic flank of Kilauea on Big Island

 

Volcanic eruptions in the middle of the Pacific Ocean have been occurring for over 80 million years, forming islands, such as the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain, that move along on tectonic plates only to erode and disappear below the water's surface. Meanwhile, the hotspot that supplies the magna shooting up as lava to form new islands migrates at will. The newest Hawaiian island in the making, originally known as Lo'ihi, began its eruption process about 400,000 years ago.

That is one energetic hotspot!

Back in the 1990's is when we first heard about the discovery of the young volcano flowing just south of the Big Island of Hawaii. Exciting news when we thought we'd be watching the growth in real time. Then the timeline of progress for Lo'ihi was announced: it was expected to reach sea level in 10,000 to 100,000 years. Wait time was long, like it's new name: Kama'ehuakanaloa, "glowing child of Kanaloa", the god of the ocean.

  

For above-sea viewing of volcanic eruptions, though, Hawaiian residents have Kilauea, the volcano on the southern flank of the Big Island. Possibly 600,000 years old, Kilauea erupted steadily from 1983 to 2018, its longest active eruption. In July 2024, Big Island earthquakes beneath Kilauea marking seismic activity were felt on O'ahu, a reminder that Madame Pele (goddess of volcanoes and fire and the creator of the Hawaiian Islands) is still active. 

ERUPTION by
Michael Crichton & James Patterson

From my review of ERUPTION: For decades, volcanoes have fascinated me. Seeing Kilauea up close and walking Devastation Trail on the Big Island of Hawaii were memorable lifetime experiences. I knew Michael Crichton would include plenty of satisfying and well-researched information in his story, not only about Mauna Loa but about Madam Pele. As a kama'aina, I wasn't disappointed.

*****

Trigger Your Imagination #WritersBlock

Waikiki - one sure cure for "writer's block"

Living in Hawaii means easy access to beaches and hiking trails, with plenty of distractions that send writers into a quandary about how to divide their time. But "writer's block" is a great excuse to grab a paperback novel or loaded e-reader and head to Waikiki for a bit of sun and relaxation. Something is certain to trigger thoughts of the next best-selling novel.

Recently, I read an entertaining novella a bit out of my mainstream reading genre (and suggested age category of 10-18) Mask of the Vampire by author Drep Code. A member of Hawaii Fiction Writers, Drep is always eager to discuss the background of his writing and the plotline of the story. In Hawaii, he majored in Criminal Justice and Psychology at Chaminade University before writing this intriguing tale of self-discovery.                                                  

Suggested reading age:
10 - 18 years

*****

I am currently reading The Eclipse Killing by Rachel Funk Heller. As a speaker at a recent Hawaii Fiction Writers' meeting, Rachel shared information about her research habits and writing process. Along with a tale of murder set in San Francisco, the novel's investigation deals with astrological symbols and a sex Magik cult. The book's synopsis also promises that every shadow holds a hidden threat. 

As with Mask of the Vampire, I will most likely be reading this novel on a brightly sun-lit lanai rather than late at night behind unlocked doors.

Murder and Magik

Rachel previously published The Writer’s Coloring Book, which is also the eponymous title of her website filled with tools for visual artists to convert their ideas into text. Writer's Coloring Book - Color Your Way to a Complete Novel (writerscoloringbook.com)

*****

ON THE MOVE: USS Missouri #AmReading

USS Missouri with

Arizona Memorial

While relaxing on my lanai and reading an action-filled novel, I came across a passage that stated the battleship Missouri is maintained by the Navy in Bremerton, Washington. My first reaction was, “No it’s not; the ship is docked on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor here in Hawaii.”

On Monday, June 22, 1998, the USS Missouri, nicknamed Mighty Mo, was ceremoniously towed around iconic Diamond Head at the east end of Waikiki. Following a 22-day voyage made with tugboats and a towing bridle attached to the celebrated, ocean-going tugboat Sea Voyage, thousands of us stood on the beach cheering as the decommissioned battleship rounded the extinct volcanic crater. A fireworks display welcomed the ship as it was escorted by local fishing vessels, pleasure boats, and helicopters, slowly making its way along the horizon toward Pearl Harbor’s Poka ‘Ailana (Ford Island), where it would ultimately welcome visitors to its majestic decks.

The battleship’s extensive history dates from the 1940s, and the ship’s quarterdeck witnessed the surrender of the Empire of Japan (which Japan announced on August 15, 1945) ending WWII.

USS Missouri Surrender Plaque on deck of ship

The novel I was reading while relaxing on my lanai was Clive Cussler's “Vixen 03” which had a copyright date of 1975. The USS Missouri was indeed maintained by the Navy in Washington on that date, long before the decommissioned battleship made its final journey across the Pacific to Hawaii. 

The USS Missouri Memorial on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor was officially opened to the public in January 1999 and continues to welcome visitors to its decks.

Beginning of USS Missouri Memorial tour

   

Visitor (me) on deck of battleship USS Missouri

 *****

Dealing With Writer's Block #HawaiiFictionWriters

Members of Hawaii Fiction Writers meet at Aina Haina Library on the first Saturday of each month with discussions arranged and led by author Michael Little. The latest meeting focused on the topic of writer's block. More than a few attending writers have suffered this affliction - regardless of age or depth of experience. Each shared their means of dealing with the phenomenon and most confessed that they have suffered through dry spells where the words would not surface.

However, everyone agreed with one member's contribution of

author Jodi Picoult's saying:

"You can edit a poorly written page; but you can't edit a blank page."

The bottom line is that putting thoughts to paper automatically labels you a writer, the author of your thoughts. Whether you choose to share your efforts with others, through printed publication or other means, has no bearing on your status as a writer. Following Picoult's mantra, putting thoughts and words on paper to edit later, is excellent advice for any author who suffers from writer's block. More on the subject can be read here at Melissa Donovan's blog site:

You Can't Edit a Blank Page | Writing Forward

Stephen King says authors should read for four hours each day and write for four hours each day. Others say you cannot have good output without good input. Researching a topic and reading the work of other authors often alleviates writer's block by shifting the anxiety of "needing to produce" to a more relaxed atmosphere of entertainment and gathering new information. 

*****

the Writer's block

*****

#IWSG Focus on AI For Writers

Insecure Writer's Support Group:
IWSG Sign-up (insecurewriterssupportgroup.com)

Welcome to IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It's a haven for insecure writers of all kinds. IWSG is the brainchild of our fearless ninja leader Alex Cavanaugh. Thank you to the awesome cohosts for the August 7 posting of the IWSG: Feather Stone, Kim Lajevardi, Diedre Knight, C. Lee McKenzie, and Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

Insecure Writer's Support Group (insecurewriterssupportgroup.com)

__________

IWSG August 7 question - Do you use AI in your writing and if so how? Do you use it for your posts? Incorporate it into your stories? Use it for research? Audio?

The easy answer to the above questions, for me, is "No" to all. I have written several novels (two unpublished) plus a book of poetry and never used AI to create or develop the story. My focus now is on writing short stories and the ones I've written for anthologies have all been about topics of personal interest that I could relate to and embellish with research - my favorite part of writing. I look forward to reading the IWSG blog comments today to learn more about AI, programs others use, and success stories.

As for my interest in writing short stories again, I often wonder about length and whether long or short stories are more appealing to readers. Social media sites seem to owe much of their attraction to easy access, short comments, and "photos that tell the story." 

Do shorter attention spans require shorter short stories?

*****

Ending Sentences and Astrology Signs #OnWriting

Evoke emotion by stimulating the reader's imagination

Hawaii Fiction Writers members met to discuss and read ending sentences in written works that illustrate the importance of culminating a story with information that will leave the reader satisfied. Whether someone has taken time to read a novel, short story, or haiku, they want to feel the time was well spent, that the take-away is worth the time.

Good book endings should do as least some of these: 

1. Conclude the story. (Cliffhangers are for chapter endings, not for sequels coming out next year!)

2. Foreshadow the future.

3. Provoke thought. (One of my favorites points.)

4. Evoke emotion (like a stimulating photograph.)

5. Give a call to action. (The final sentence of my genealogical novel encourages "others to write or tell their own stories.")

*****

During the second half of the meeting, guest speaker Rachel Funk Heller shared information about her soon-to-be-published novel, The Eclipse Killer, involving a series of ghoulish murders in San Francisco. Solving the cases rests with a gifted astrologer and owner of a metaphysical bookstore. 

Rachel's talk culminated in an interesting and informative discussion about tarot cards and astrology, lunar cycles, and the moon's influence upon tides and rivers.

*****

WWW Wednesday #AmReading

                                                        

Today I’m participating in WWW Wednesdays, at Taking on a World of Words.  Here’s how it works:

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next, and/or what are you eagerly awaiting?

WWW Wednesday, 31-July-2024 | Taking On a World of Words

*****

I am currently reading WE BURNED OUR BOATS by Karen Jones Gowen. When young folks pick up and move cross-country, the change for them is usually easily accomplished because adventure is in their bones and discovery is their main objective. But when folks who have spent years working to raise a family and have reached that time in life when relaxing in the back yard with a cold drink and a good book is enticing, it seems that a move, not just cross-country, but totally out of the country, sounds less appealing. Not for Karen and husband Bruce Gowen, though, who packed up a few belongings and flew to Guatemala City, then rode to the highland region where their daughter and son-in-law were opening a hotel in Panajachel. Karen and Bruce were there to help them.

Because I have no plans to travel to Central America, I am enjoying all the adventures Karen Jones Gowen vividly describes, giving me the opportunity to experience travel from the comfort of my lanai, with a cold drink at my side.

We Burned Our Boats by
Karen Jones Gowen

*****

Recently I read John Sandford's DARK ANGEL, a spinoff from his Prey/Lucas Davenport series and featuring 25-year-old daughter and protagonist, Letty Davenport, who is an investigator for the inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security. Of course, with all her training and fitness, she doesn't just sit around doing paperwork and her Sig 938 is a constant companion with which she is apparently capable of shooting off specific parts of fruit flies. While Lucas was once my favorite of Sandford's characters, and Letty is quite entertaining, my top favorite is Virgil Flowers. Favorite or runners-up, Sandford novels always get 5-star reviews from me.

Dark Angel by
John Sandford

Another book I recently read is LARCENY & LAST CHANCES: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense (A Superior Shores Anthology Book 4 from Judy Penz Sheluk.) Many of the short stories, written by 22 different authors, are top-notch and worth the price of the book; some are entertaining with an unusual or unexpected climax, which is always a bonus for a mystery reader.

Larceny & Last Chances
Edited by Judy Penz Sheluk

*****

Next upcoming on my reading list is Randy Wayne White's BLACK WIDOW, #15 in his Doc Ford action series set in Florida. Mr. White's novels hooked me years ago after a relaxing vacation (to escape Wisconsin's cold winter) on Captiva and Sanibel Island. One day while swimming, a dolphin appeared nearby along with a friend and hooked me on the laidback lifestyle of southern living. Reading Doc Ford novels keeps that adventurous feeling alive. And though I did eventually leave the snowy climate behind, heading much farther south where the weather is always aloha-plenty warm, Doc Ford is still one of my favorite novel characters.

Black Widow by
Randy Wayne White

*****

The MacGuffin in "The Maltese Falcon" #FridayReads

When a local library in Honolulu decided to close its doors for good, I snagged a hard cover copy of Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon, the only full-length novel in which Detective Sam Spade appears. The statuette of a falcon, an object that has been lost for centuries, is the focus of a deadly search around the world. Guns are drawn. People die.

A MacGuffin in a book is an object or event that is necessary to the plot or its characters' motivation but is irrelevant in itself. The missing falcon is the MacGuffin in The Maltese Falcon as desire for its ownership drives the plot. The ring in J.R.R. Tolkien's saga and the Philosopher's Stone in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novel are both MacGuffins that give purpose to the novels' plotlines. I would include Stephen King's Dark Tower series, a tale of a gunslinger's quest for the tower which is reported to be the nexus of all universes. The tower is the MacGuffin that drives the plot but is irrelevant in itself.

While reading Dashiell Hammett's novel again recently, I thought about current day MacGuffins and how an event such as an upcoming wedding can indirectly control current actions. Preceding a wedding, the bride-to-be nervously over-eats her way out of her wedding dress; the groom has second thoughts and leaves town; the father of the bride embezzles company funds to pay for the wedding reception; or little sister of the groom shoplifts a wedding gift for her brother.

And then there are MacGuffins in movies!

*****      

Opening Paragraphs To Hook the Reader #AmWriting

Iolani Palace in Honolulu on Oahu, Hawaii
the only royal palace in the USA
(recent photo)

At a Hawaii Fiction Writers workshop, authors read opening paragraphs of their current writing projects. Good opening sentences draw the reader into the writer's world to immediately hook them with promises of an action-filled thriller, conflicting emotions of a true romance, or unfolding drama in a historical novel. 

Author and Mental Health Professional, Joy Ogawa, who was born and raised in Hawaii and states she has been creating worlds and characters since age five, was invited to share news of her recently published debut historical novel: Victoria Ward and the Gilded Age of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Opening lines of Joy Ogawa's historical novel introduce the reader to the regal side of the 19th century Hawaiian Kingdom, showcasing protagonist Victoria Kathleen Robinson Ward and her family.

The Kingdom of Hawai'i

O'ahu

Iolani Palace

A beautiful part-Hawaiian, part-Caucasian woman fusses over her daughters’ Victorian finery as they exit the carriage. She arranges them in order by age, except for the guest of honor. The palace doors open, and the Royal Hawaiian Guard announce their arrival. “Your Majesty, introducing Ms. Annie Eva Theresa Einei Ward, debutant, the fourth daughter of Mrs. Victoria Kathleen Robinson Ward and the late Mr. Curtis Perry Ward. She is accompanied by her six sisters and brother-in-law.” 

King David Laʻamea Kamananakapu Mahinulani Naloiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua is a charming and handsome modern renaissance man who cuts a dashing figure in his ceremonial Victorian English royal and military dress with fashionable bushy mutton chops. Jovial, his brown eyes sparkle with delight as he formally receives the Ward family.

Ogawa, Joy (2024-01-04T22:58:59.000). Victoria Ward and the Gilded Age of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Austin Macauley Publishers. Kindle Edition.

*****

Synopsis:   

1889, Iolani Palace, O'ahu: The majestic Hawaiian Kingdom teeters on the brink of oblivion. At its heart stands Victoria Ward, a woman of royal Hawaiian blood, bound by her lineage and duty. Armed with vast lands, ancient cultural rituals, and the unwavering loyalty of her villagers, she becomes the beacon of hope for a nation under threat.

From my Book Review:

Excellently researched and professionally written history of Hawaii alii, royalty, and family life on Oahu right up to present day headlines. Victoria Robinson Ward's strong family focus and tough business sense are highlighted throughout.

*****

More on "opening lines/paragraphs from "Operation Awesome (a group of writers)

Operation Awesome: Week #32 – Lord of the Flies by William Golding (operationawesome6.blogspot.com)

*****

WWW Wednesday #AmReading

 

Today I’m participating in WWW Wednesdays, at Taking on a World of Words.  Here’s how it works:

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next, and/or what are you eagerly awaiting?

WWW Wednesday, 17-July-2024 | Taking On a World of Words (wordpress.com)

*****

Currently I am reading Vixen 03 by Clive Cussler. Last year I decided to start reading more series books so I wouldn't always be wondering what my next read would be. Mr. Cussler's long list of novels and action-packed plots are a perfect addition to my reading list. I don't often write book reviews but when an interesting remark or topic item within the plot catches my eye, as happened with this story, it compels me to write a short essay to post on my blog (which will appear in August.)

Recently, I read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, a book club choice. I haven't been reading many literary novels, but this one is definitely my favorite of the year. Along with the entertainment factor, it also offers excellent suggestions for future reading.

Next on my reading list is Wolf Pack by C.J. Box, another series author who has made my reading experience a pleasurable pastime.  Another amazing author, Randy Wayne White, will follow with Black Widow.

What's on your reading list?

*****

The Hits Just Keep Coming - Cadillac Clem: A Cody Ross Enigma

Chicago Civic Center (now Daley Plaza)
with reflection of City Hall 

Since my early teens, I have been an avid reader of book series in an eclectic range of genres, including mystery, thriller, detective, and adventure. When the 2019 pandemic hit, my reading schedule went into overdrive, focusing on authors ranging from Sandford, Connelly, and Baldacci to Randy Wayne White, C.J. Box, and Robert P. Parker. Cussler, Crichton, J. A. Jance, and Elmore Leanord also have designated spaces on my TBR bookshelves, both in print and e-Book formats.

But when a local author here in Hawaii publishes a book, I clear my calendar to read their latest novel, memoir, anthology, or book of poetry. When I received word that author Ray Pace on the Big Island had published a new sequel to his "Wise Guys You'll Love, If You Know What's Good For You" series, Cadillac Clem: A Cody Ross Enigma, I knew I was in for a treat. Ray knew it too - because his story unfolds in Chicago, a town where I once worked and chose as the setting of my first mystery novel.

For Cadillac Clem, it's 1960, the heat is on, and the Republican convention is gearing up for the coming election. Ike will attend, throwing his support behind his once-vice president for future president of the United States. And Private Eye Cody Ross, working on a missing person's case, is right in the middle of the ever-escalating action.

This may be my favorite novel in the series to date. Cadillac Clem is a well-told and entertaining detective story played out during the planning of the 1960's Republican Convention in Daley's Chicago. Sometimes, as you might agree with, it's hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys. And there is never a dull moment for P.I. Cody Ross and an entertaining cast of interesting characters.

*****

Cadillac Clem: A Cody Ross Enigma

by Ray Pace

Available at Amazon.com

  

Running Wild With A Writing Exercise: Your Turn!

As mentioned in an earlier post, HAWAII FICTION WRITERS members participated in an entertaining and educational project involving the creation of fractured fairy tales. The anthology, compiled to raise money for local libraries in Hawaii, is entitled KISSING FROGS and other Quirky Fairy Tales. 

Frogs are well represented in such tales as the eponymous Kissing Frogs; Frog Prince Wants a Condo; and The Kindred Frog. Some tales are a bit more unconventional, quirky to be precise. Examples include: Jack and the Beanstalkers; Why Were the Brothers Grimm?; and Hansel, Gretel, and the Food-Challenged Witch.

One of my tales easily falls into the "quirky" category. The story employs details from various tales of Snow White, details concerning the methods in which the queen attempts to eliminate Ms. White - diabolical plans that included ordering the huntsman to cut out the step-child's heart; then resorting to poison, and finally asphyxiation. And while Snow White is forever associated with the lives of seven dwarfs, my story has Detective Whitey Snow focused on the demise of seven corpses. 

Available at Amazon.com

In the opening lines of her FOREWORD to the anthology,

Cultural Mythologist Jane L. Mickelson poses the questions: 

"What is the relationship between ancient myths and retold fairy tales? When does a myth morph into a fairy tale? And at what point is the fairy tale turned inside out to become “fractured” or “retold”? 

She continues in this following excerpt: "In one sense, all myths, fairy, and folk tales, as we know them now, are retold. They arise out of oral tradition and are passed along by memory, which inevitably puts new spins on their telling, to match the cultural environment in which they’re told. From the sacred to the profane, nothing seems outside the permissible."

Would your version of a fractured fairy tale lean toward romance, comedy, mystery, or a completely different genre? Pick a well-known or even an obscure fairy tale and let your imagination run wild writing a whole new (fractured) version. 

*****