February 10 — update

I’m almost done with story number 3, formerly known as Fantome Fatale. It’s now called the Red River Murders, and while that’s a worse title, it is the better title for this story. The Fantome Fatale trick does happen, but the trick is not the focus of the story.

This thing has taken me forever to write. The path is now clear. Three more days of writing (tops!) and I’ll be finished with this thing.

I flew too close to the sun with this one. There were dramatics in the story. I’m not adept at dramatics. Reining them in, making them subtle–it took a lot of effort. This is by far, the longest short story I’ve written. Time to switch gears.

I’m going to read some horror next week — no writing at all. Then, the following week, I will begin my carnival horror mystery. It’s going to be batshit crazy. I’ ve got to let loose like I’ve never done before. When it si finished, I hope to continue this trend with one or two more stories in a similar vein. Wild, unhinged stuff. I started this collection in the same careful mode as the previous book. I’m going to finish it with reckless abandon.

Here is the lineup so far:

1. Killer Pete — an automaton, locked-room murder
2. Madmen Prefer Blondes — a multiple murderer, locked room, fog-set, thriller
3. The Red River Murders — 2 footprint-problem murders
4. The Carny Murders (until I think of a better title — description coming soon but there’s at least one locked-room murder but lots of crazy shit, I promise.)
5. ?
6. ?

One thought I had was to save the first three stories and use them in various ways — say releasing a novel with a bonus short story. Logic says I should offer one as a gift for a mailing list. Anyway, I could set aside the first three stories and focus on releasing an entire collection of horror mysteries. There may be a market for those.

Then again, I don’t even know for sure that stories 5 and 6 will be horror mysteries. After The Carny Murders, I might change my mind and go in a different direction. And writing a horror collection with threaten releasing product this year. I have to keep up the momentum.

Okay — back to the grind. Hope you’re doing well.