It’s been a hot, busy summer. Between writing the next book and attending signing events, I haven’t had much time to relax or to do blog posts, so I’ll do a little catch-up here.
A few weeks ago, I attended the Writers Police Academy in Raleigh, and many of our classes were taught at Sirchie in Youngsville, NC, a leader in Crime Scene Investigation and Forensic Science Solutions. I learned a lot, but I was also surprised at how much I already knew from watching true-crime TV shows, like those on the ID (Investigation Discovery) Channel. I attended classes on geological, footprint, blood, fingerprint, and DNA forensics, as well as a class on buried bodies. The advances in forensic science are amazing. It’s hard to imagine how a criminal can get away with anything these days. Perhaps the most interesting tidbit I learned at the WPA was that identical twins have the same DNA but distinct fingerprints. (That might show up in a story later.)
Some of my readers have asked if my attending the police academy training means I’ll start writing police procedurals. It’s doubtful. As you know if you’ve read any of my books, I enjoy writing about ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. With all due respect to the police detectives and the authors who write about them, law enforcement professionals are doing their jobs. That’s what they are supposed to do. I find it far more fascinating when ordinary people, for whatever reason, feel compelled to investigate a crime. (Yes, it’s true. I was a big fan of “Murder She Wrote”)
Having said all that, I’m not sure where my writing will take me next. I may put the Enid Blackwell series on hold for a while and focus on a second series or write more short stories. Or I may just take a break and resume where I left off. One thing I’m sure of, however, is that I’ll be writing as long as I can.
Speaking of writing, I’m about two-thirds finished with my fourth Enid Blackwell book. I’ve introduced a new character that might spin off into a new series. However, it’s been unusually difficult writing for several reasons. First of all, for reasons I can’t discuss, I am very close to this story. Second, I’ve gotten such extraordinarily good feedback on Secrets Never Told, the third book in the series, that I’m feeling pressure to make this one even better. (Yes, I realize it’s self-imposed pressure.) And finally, since this will be the last book in the series for a while, I want it to be a book I’m especially proud of and that my readers will really like.
So, stay tuned and keep checking the blog posts here, as well as the “Upcoming Events” page. I’d love to have you come out and see us. A special thanks to all of you who have bought my books and support my work. I appreciate you!
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