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Showing posts from May, 2014

Writing with a partner

I recently attended a one day seminar which featured a session on writing as part of a team.  It was fascinating to see how the partners (two ladies in this case) played off each other's strengths and weaknesses to create their work. After some trial and error they discovered what worked for them.  To start they write on a schedule.  One partner is in charge of coffee and danish while the other drives to her house to start their daily task.  Once together they review the work which each was assigned and then start composing.  Each partner has certain elements they contribute but ultimately the voice of the work reflects them both. It may be impossible for them to tell at the end of the day who contributed which piece but ultimately it doesn't matter.  I suppose the old saying applies here, "Two heads are better than one". Lately I wish I did have a writing partner who could help motivate me to get busy.  Waiting to hear from the editor and the agent, who both ex

Desert Sleuths seminar

I recently attend the Desert Sleuths chapter of Sisters In Crime one day seminar.  What a fantastic, crime solving way to spend a day! The session started with a lecture by a veteran police detective who had thirty years on the force.  He provided a wealth of real-world information about what happens in a crime scene investigation.  And if that was enough he gave us a crime scene to analyze and was available after his session for additional questions. The first presenter was followed by a private investigator and then by an attorney who represents death penalty cases. A few interesting tidbits I'm passing along - keeping in mind that this is based on Arizona laws and procedures: 1.  Investigating a homicide at the scene can take anywhere from several hours on a small scene to up to thirty six hours depending on how much evidence there is. 2.  Once the detectives have finished their work at the scene it is released.  Crime scene tape isn't left in place after the inves