Guest Post: My Mystery Career by Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

My favourite books to read have always been mystery novels and after ten years spent travelling and writing the seven books of my Backroads Series, I decided to write a mystery. Since one of the mantras of writing is to write what you know I made my main character a travel writer. In 'Illegally Dead' Elizabeth Oliver was headed to southern Alberta to do research for a magazine and was drawn into the mystery of a skeleton found in a septic tank. When I was finished I sent it out to a few publishers. One wrote back that they liked it but my travel background was coming out and I had too much travel information in it. I was asked to remove some. So I did and resent my manuscript. Again, I was asked to cut back on the travel info. Again I did. The third time I was told that this was a mystery and I should stick with the mystery and leave out the travel stuff. I wrote back and said that the main character is a travel writer and is working on an article. She is not going to drop that and concentrate on the mystery. So needless to say we parted ways.
       I sent out the manuscript again and another publisher said they were interested in publishing it. They had one stipulation and that was that I should add in more travel information.
       I sent the second manuscript titled, 'The Only Shadow In The House', to the same publisher. After about a five month wait I received a letter that told me the publishing house had been bought out by another one and that my manuscript and all my information had been sent to them. I waited a few  months then emailed the new publisher to find out what was happening. A couple of days later I received an email stating that they had no record of my manuscript. My heart sank. But a few days after that I received an email from another editor at the publishing house that they had found my manuscript and they wanted to publish it.
       However, in the time between that email and the publishing date for my novel, the publishing house was sold again. The new owner was going to honour my contracts, but in the future wasn't going to publish mysteries. I knew there was no use sending, 'Whistler's Murder', the third manuscript of what I was calling The Travelling Detective Series to that publisher and after checking around I sent it to Books We Love Ltd. They immediately accepted it and e-published it. After two years of talking with my old publisher I was able to get the rights to my first two novels of the series and now all three are published with Books We Love Ltd. as e-books.
       This fall Books We Love Ltd. decided to bring many of their e-books out in print and my series is now available in a boxed set through Amazon or through me at mjyarmey@yahoo.com.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KF07FQM/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

http://amzn.com/B00KF07FQM

This is a captivating mystery from new-to-me author Joan Donaldson-Yarmey.  Illegally Dead is the first book in a series that also includes The Only Shadow in the House and Whistler's Murder.  This book is not only a murder mystery but also a travelogue of the Crowsnest Highway in Southern Alberta.  I have actually never been to this area so that aspect of the book was incredibly interesting to me.  Who wouldn't want to learn more about a place called Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump. And it was interesting to learn the story behind the name of the city of Medicine Hat.
Besides all of the interesting travel information there is a riveting mystery that kept me guessing until the conclusion.  The story abounds with interesting characters.  I love that older people were consulted when our sleuth and travel writer Elizabeth Oliver was conducting her research...people often forget that the older generation has plenty of stories to tell and have often kept quite a few secrets over the years. 
Great Canadian mystery!!! I'm looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.
Kathryn Poulin
MysteriesEtc

The Only Shadow In The House
I like how author Joan Donaldson-Yarmey sets her books in obscure places in Alberta.  This time it is Redwater...a small town outside of Edmonton that not many people have heard of...I only have because the company I worked at for many years built a cogeneration plant there.  This is the second book in her Sumach Travel Mystery series.  It is an enjoyable read particularly if you want to learn more about Alberta.  The author is a travel writer and her experience and expertise about the area shines through.
Good story filled with interesting characters. The mystery had me guessing until the end. I'm looking forward to the next Elizabeth Oliver adventure.
Kathryn Poulin
MysteriesEtc

Hi Joan;  I’ve been wanting to tell you that I absolutely love your book – The Only Shadow In The House. I have a hard time putting it down and find I am reading too late into the night! I am almost finished it. I cannot wait to find out who is responsible for the other murder. It’s an excellent book that is so full of suspense! I can’t wait for your next one. Marie K

I really like your Traveling Detective books and just wondering if there is a fourth book out?
Thank you
 Maureen

Hi Joan, I took the Kindle version of  Whistler’s Murder with me on holiday and really enjoyed it. The perfect mystery beach book! You have likeable, resourceful characters and kept all the threads of a pretty complicated plot woven together nicely. Sherry

Dear Joan,
 I met you when you were in Lethbridge at Chapters signing books. I just finished Illegally Dead last night and I have to say I LOVED IT!! If you continue to write like this you will go very far with your talent. It grabbed me from the first paragraph and wouldn't let go..LOL I have told a lot of people they should go and buy this book as it is SO good. Even though I just finished reading it.. I want more!! Loved the characters.. especially the twists and turns especially the final chapter. Please keep me informed as you write more!
 Your new friend and number 1 fan!
 Karolee

Joan,
 I have just finished reading your second book and I have to say it was GREAT! Quite possibly better than the first one..LOL  The sad thing is now I have to wait for the next one ..LOL But I am patient
Karolee

I finished the book last night. It was a really good read. Kept me guessing right up to the end. Joan
did a really good job. Waiting for the next one. Gwendoline
They are a great series. I loved every one of them.
Gwendoline

Hey there
 - I received the book last week and have read it and I’m impressed. You should be very proud of yourself – you’ve come such a long way as a writer. I think you have a series on your hands there. Maybe you’ll get your series on TV when you’ve got a few more under your belt!  Cheers and congratulations!  Sylvia

Hi Joan - I just finished your book and really, really enjoyed it. Hurry up with the second one please! Judith

Crime Writers of Canada mini writing conference report by Leanne Dyck

The morning of Saturday, May 25^th I woke before my alarm. By 6:30 a.m., I was in the truck headed for the ferry. I was excited—but not nervous. This surprised me. I’m used to talking to one or two people at a time, in a few hours I would be talking to a room full. But the day wasn’t all about me—there were other panels, other panellists.

Here’s what I heard…

Panel 1:  Moving from Idea to Draft

E.R. Brown, Benni Chisholm, Ken Merkley, Kay Stewart(moderator)

-When conducting research, experts (such as police officers) are helpful—especially if you send them an introductory letter stating what information you want to collect.

An attendee asked:  If your story is based on a true event, how do you avoid being legible?

Answer:  Mask the facts and consult with a lawyer.

There was discussion about plotter or panster. Most present did some type of outlining before writing.

Advice:  -Write the first draft then fix it.

There was discussion about how to make the outlining process easier.

-mind mapping

-mind mapping using Post-it notes

-mind mapping using a whiteboard

-mind mapping using the computer program Scribner

Editors have said that…

-readers want to be in a place

-readers want to learn something

While researching, the Internet provides only a broad overview; therefore, consider purchasing books and consulting experts.

An attendee asked:  Should an author be able to play with the facts?

Answer:  The author should ask herself, “Could this happen?”

If the answer is yes—go for it.

-In writing scenes, instead of trying to account for every minute only write the important scenes.

-You should start the scene with one set of feelings and end it with a different set.

-Beware of sagging middles.

-Each scene should move the story forward.

Food for thought:  An eight-year-old said, “I like this book. I just think the author told too much of it.”

Panel 2:  Handling Common Problems in Plot, Character, and Style

Chris Bullock (moderator), Joan Donaldson-Yarmey, Debra Purdy Kong, Lou Allin

-Beware of using local places as the setting for negative events.

-If you’re becoming bored with the story bring in a bad boy or girl.

-Read (lots of) books like an author. When you encounter characters ask yourself why you like/dislike them.

-Feel free to build a character that is a composite of real people.

When building a character start by asking yourself:

What do they look like?

How do they act?

Where do they work?

Then go deeper…

What are their hopes, dreams, fears…

-Once you understand your character outside and in you can bring them to life on the page.

-When you’re working on a series develop a character bible for each character—main and minor.

When building a character

-avoid making them too quirky—you want believable characters

-avoid making them too stereotypical

-be careful how you age your character

-ensure that there is continuity

-secondary characters shouldn't overshadow—if they begin to reign them in.

-don’t have too many characters. Ensure that each has a purpose.

-find your own style

-your words should flow naturally

-use your own voice

-aim for rhythm in your writing

-as the writer matures so does her writing

-don’t let your setting take over

(much thanks to Kay Stewart for taking this photo)

Panel 3:  Marketing Your Work

Leanne Dyck, Robin Spano, Phyllis Smallman (moderator)

I sat down feeling confident. I looked out at the attendees and immediately felt nervous. All those old stories about how I couldn’t read began attacking me. I was tired so I tripped and fell over some words. This made me feel embarrassed. Still, I knew I wanted to be there; I wanted to be a panellist. This is an important part of building my author career. It’s just hard for me—that’s all. But it’s been my experience that the more I challenge myself the easier things become.

I plan to share my speech with you—in a future post, so watch for that.

Robin Spano spoke eloquently about Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads. She said that Twitter allows participants to interact with one another and, for this reason, Twitter serves as an excellent tool for networking. 

She explained that Goodreads has a blog and is an excellent way to promote the books that you've enjoyed reading.

Since Robin spoke I’ve had an opportunity to become more involved with Facebook. I like it because through it I feel like a member of a community.

Twitter and Facebook are more immediate—brief messages sent quickly—than blogging. But what works best for me is having an opportunity to think before I write. I also like having a home base where I draw readers while engaging with them online. Blogging also helps escape the "time-suck" that other forms of social networking create. Basically, I used my panel time to promote the virtues of blogging.

One of the marketing ideas Phyllis Smallman recommended, which I hope to eventually use, is Skype. Imagine being able to do an interactive presentation to a global audience.

Award winning author, Phyllis Smallman, lives on Salt Spring Island, B.C. but spends the winter months in Florida where her books are set. Her fifth book, Highball Exit, comes out in the fall of 2012.
"Smallman...is at the top of her game in this fast-paced tale."  Globe and Mail

Phyllis Smallman writes...

Marketing Creativity

It doesn’t matter if you paint, knit or write books like I do; you need to be able to sell your product the same as Kraft needs to sell their cheese. How do we go about that? Here are some quick tips that may help you.

    1.You need to be able to speak about your work so go to Toastmasters and learn to be a great public speaker.  You’ll have fun and it’s the quickest way to put yourself at ease in front of an audience. More than that, they will become part of your marketing platform.

      2. Have a good talk with yourself and decide what type of marketing you are most comfortable doing.  For me that means not hand selling books at fairs, festivals or signings, but I’m happy to hand out bookmarks.

    3. Build a platform with a community of like minded people.  Join guilds, art groups and associations to increase your fan base and provide new ideas and marketing opportunities. I belong to Crime Writers of Canada, Mystery Writers of America and Florida Writers Assoc.

     4. Give stuff away.  In my case, I put up free short stories where e-books are sold.  When you download a short story of mine there is a few chapters of one of my books attached at the end. Bitty And The Naked Ladies has been downloaded about 30,000 times. Write articles about the work you do and offer them to on-line magazines. This is a way to get your name out there and gain authenticity.  If you give people information, you create fans and followers. My articles have appeared in Omni magazine and in Spinetingler.

     I send out a newsletter once a year, when I have a new book out, to update readers on what’s happening and to remind them that I’m still writing. I include any new publishing events, awards or books. For instance, I won a bronze medal from Independent Publishers this spring.  That will go in my fall newsletter to announce my new book, Long Gone Man, coming out in Sept from Touch Wood. To receive newsletters, which you can use as a template, go to www.phyllissmallman.com and I’ll add you to the list.

     This is the most important point.  You want people to like you. Don’t annoy them. Don’t over-send things to them, don’t over-invite them to events, don’t over social media them and most importantly, don’t always make it about you. Be nice.

Mystery Mini Chats followed the panel discussions. It was an opportunity for readers and authors to engage in dialogue about books. 

Please welcome Author Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

How/why did you start to write?

I have loved to read mysteries since I was a child beginning with Trixie Beldon and Nancy Drew. I graduated to Agatha Christie and Mary Higgins Clark as an adult. The way the clues were interwoven in the story always intrigued me and I decided I wanted write a mystery. However, it was many years of writing before my first mystery was published.  

How did you become an author?

I took many writing courses and through one of them had my first article published. I then carried on with travel and historical articles and seven travel books about British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon and Alaska.

What was your first published piece?

My first article was titled “A Hawks Reluctant Flight.” It was about an injured hawk that my son and I found and how we took him home and cared for him. When it was time for him to fly away, he refused and remained in our area for many years.

Where was it published?

It was published by Western People a small magazine insert in the Western Producer, which is a rural paper for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

How long ago?

It was published in 1987.

What did you do before embarking on your writing career? Was it an asset to your writing? How?

I have had many jobs but for my mystery writing, the fact that I am a travel writer helped. Write about what you know if a mantra of many writers and so I made my main character, Elizabeth Oliver, a travel writer. She gets drawn in solving mysteries while working on her articles. I have had many people buy my books because they can relate to the places described as she does her research.

What inspires you?

People who have succeeded at their dreams.

Please share one of your successful marketing techniques

I try to take part in as many writing events as I can. This way I get to meet others writers and advertise my books as well.

Parting words

I believe that reading is one of the best ways to learn the writing craft. You can feel what you don’t like about some books and what do like about others because reading is all about emotions.

Whistler's Murder
The Travelling Detective Series
by Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

Elizabeth Oliver has tagged along with her best friend Sally Matthews to Whistler where Sally is attending a science fiction/fantasy writing retreat. Elizabeth plans on spending the first week working on an article about Whistler for a travel magazine and then relaxing and enjoying being in the famous resort town for the second week. However, her well laid plan immediately begins to fall apart with the discovery of a body in a ndwly demolished house. Then she is again sidetracked when one of Sally's fellow students asks her to solve the mystery of her cousin's death and is then murdered herself.

Joan's blog:  The Travelling Detective Series