LADIES' KILLING THURSDAYS

The Pursuit of Dreams

The first novel I ever wrote, I showed to my friend, who happened to be a psychiatrist. She muttered suitable words of praise, but I had other priorities on my mind and let it languish in a drawer.

Thanks God. I was twenty-two years old. The book was awful.

The second novel I wrote, two years later, I was so pleased with that I sent it off to a publisher without seeking feedback or suggestions from a single person other than my husband. And my husband, like most spouses, knew what was good for him.

Fortunately the publisher rejected it. And the next one, and the next one. I had quite the stack of manuscripts moldering in the bottom of my basement drawer before I finally sold my first book. By then I had learned a thing or two. One of the most valuable lessons I learned is that a writer can’t write a novel by themselves. We get too close to the story, we love every one of our precious words and every delicious scene. We need an honest, discerning, objective critic who comes to the story fresh and without preconceptions or bias, who can question the words we use and the images we paint, criticize the credibility of the characters, point out the plot holes, tell us when the story is boring, confusing, clichéd or just plain dumb.

I’m grateful to all those rejections; each one of them sent me back to the drawing board, more determined than ever to find out what I was doing wrong. In the end, they forced me to seek out a critiquing group, and it was from and with those fellow critics that I really learned to write. Learned to polish and re-polish, to research, to question and double-check. If I had been unlucky enough to have had my first books published, I would still be trying to live them down today. Those books didn’t deserve to see the light of day. It takes time, determination and continual self-improvement to become a decent writer, a process that really never ends.

Today I sent my ninth Inspector Green novel off to my critiquing group, as well as to a couple of other technical specialists who will read it for accuracy. I know it’s not perfect, but I know they will all find interesting points to critique, and together it will make the story better. I consider each comment carefully, decide what to do with it, and make the changes to the manuscript that I feel are right. It is still my story, but by bouncing it off other people, I see how that story comes across on the page, not just in my mind’s eye.

Once it’s gone through my final writing, it goes through my editor, possibly two editors, at the publisher. One of the casualties of today’s publishing industry is the lack of good, solid opportunities for new writers. The big houses are shrinking their lists and going with big-name authors or catchy storylines. Vampires, apparently. Smaller houses, which might take risks on a new author or a fresh story concept, are struggling to stay afloat. Meanwhile, authors are being encouraged to bypass this bottleneck entirely by entering the self-publishing and ebook publishing worlds. The lines are blurring, indeed disappearing, between publisher, printer, distributor and bookseller. Amazon is all of those. In the short term, they trade in hopes and dreams and pride, but ultimately they may impede our growth as writers..

I’m not saying there is never a time for self-publishing nor that all such books are lacking. Excellent books by amazing writers are published this way every year. It is the ones that are out before their time, before they are given the chance to become the best they can be, that are losing out.


Barbara Fradkin is a child psychologist with a fascination for how we turn bad. In addition to her darkly haunting short stories in the Ladies Killing Circle anthologies, she writes the gritty, Ottawa-based Inspector Green novels which havewon back to back Arthur Ellis Awards for Best Novel from Crime Writers of Canada. The eighth in the series, Beautiful Lie the Dead, explores love in all its complications. And, her new Rapid Read from Orca, The Fall Guy, was launched last May.

LADIES' KILLING THURSDAYS

Critiquing Part 2

Recently the four women in my writing group sent me detailed critiques of the manuscript of my fourth book, Cut to the Bone. I set to work reading each one, evaluating the comments and, when a significant change had been suggested, thinking about the ramifications of the change.

Surprisingly the changes I made led me to reconsider the characters, to eliminate two and to concentrate on deepened the feelings and reactions of those who remained. As I did this I visualized each one scene by scene and this in turn suggested other changes. It was a fascinating experience and it would not have been possible without the initial critiques.

Why did this happen? I think it was because I was forced to rethink the role each character played and doing this made me reconsider each one’s part in the book. Being a visual artist as well as a writer I saw them in their settings and this made them even more real than they had been before.

All this was done on the computer. The next step was to print the new version and read it. Hard copy brings its own pleasures and again I found a multitude of contradictions, omissions and repetitions that I hadn’t picked up on the computer.

The final step was to read the entire ms aloud. The ears recognized problems that the eyes missed so there were more changes to be made.

Perhaps I’m not enough of a self critic but without the initial input from my four patient readers none of this would have happened. As it is I’m sure the editor will find more things to change but not nearly as many as there were in the beginning.

For me the critiquing process is unbelievably helpful. I know that many writers have internalized all the questions they should ask and don’t need to have others read their work. I’m not there and although I’d like to think I will someday have confidence that I don’t need critiques I don’t really believe it.

Are other writers as reliant on critiquing as I am? It would be interesting to know.



Joan Boswell is a member of the Ladies Killing Circle and co-edited four of their short story anthologies: Fit toDie, Bone Dance, Boomers Go Bad and Going Out With a Bang. Her three mysteries, Cut Off His Tale, Cut to the Quick and Cut and Run were published in 2005, 2007 and 2007. In 2000 she won the $10,000 Toronto Star’s short story contest. Joan lives in Toronto with three flat-coated retrievers.

LADIES' KILLING THURSDAYS

The Ladies' Killing Circle: thoughts on writing and shopping...

Vicki: We've been asked to say a few words about the Ladies' Killing Circle. We are definitely Ladies, and there are six of us: Joan Boswell, Vicki Cameron, Barbara Fradkin, Mary Jane Maffini, Sue Pike and Linda Wiken, so that makes a Circle. As to the Killing part, we have killed a few bottles of wine and several cheesecakes in our 18 years together. We began as a critique group, with a mission to help each other grow as writers. We are possibly the longest running critique group in Canada, and definitely the most successful, with seven anthologies of crime stories published. Maybe we should say a few words about the anthologies and how we decide on the theme and title of each anthology.

Barbara: With lots of wine and laughter. In one case, we were sitting around the living room of Joan's house in Florida, on our third annual "writer's retreat", with the requisite Shiraz and Chardonnay on the table, and we were tossing around possible ideas for themes. None of them seemed compelling enough, until one of us - whose identity was lost in the ensuing gales of laughter - remarked, “Well, you know, we've never actually done 'Sex'!” Hence Going Out With a Bang was conceived. So to speak.

Linda: This is possibly the most important part of the process. We've been known to toss titles around while in the car on the way to or from a gathering, while dining out en masse, or sitting around the table at a critiquing session.

Vicki: There was the time we were hanging about on Sue’s cottage deck, and Mary Jane blurted out ‘Menopause is Murder’. Another book was born.

Sue: It's hard to imagine something this much fun could also provide a worthwhile service to the writing community. But it does. In each anthology we've included stories by new, previously unpublished writers,many of whom have gone on to enjoy success with novels and other anthologies.

Vicki: Not to mention our own successes. Barbara, Mary Jane and Joan have novel series. Sue did an anthology. I did a couple of short story collections and young adult novels. Linda's first book in her mystery book club series will be published in early 2012.

Sue: Our book launches at the lovely Library and Archives Canada are renowned for the crowds of fans we attract. Maybe it's all the food, wine and chocolate but we prefer to think it's our sunny personalities. Although we're pretty good at our computers we're even better on our feet. Our ‘dog-and-pony’ show has been the feature entertainment at several fundraising galas in and around Ottawa. We've even taken it on the road when our six busy schedules can be coordinated.

Mary Jane: Perhaps it's best we not mention the time most of the group walked across the bridge from El Paso to Juarez, Mexico, for dinner and attempted to find a cab. It's just a matter of time until someone gets a story out of that.

Vicki: Oops, I better rein this in. I can tell we’re about to go off on a tangent of tossing ideas around and killing ourselves laughing. Here's the first question we were asked: How does being a part of the LKC make your writing life fuller and more interesting?

Mary Jane: Life more interesting? Well, for one thing, there's the look on the mail carrier's face when he delivers a piece of correspondence to the Ladies' Killing Circle Inc. Sometimes men step away from us, nervously. That's always amusing too. Life fuller? There are the many adventures we've had together, most of which seem to involve ladies' wear shops and restaurants, both well-known incubators of criminous ideas and some of which are very relieved when we leave.

Vicki: People might think we do nothing but eat. About the writing… I think the group made me a more efficient and prolific writer. We used to meet every two weeks. Since I had to drive for an hour into the city to get to the meeting, there was no way I was going to go empty-handed. So I wrote a new chapter or a new short story every two weeks.

Linda: Being a part of LKC has made me more focused in my writing and given me that extra incentive to actually write, knowing I'd have to face a critiquing session. The comments are usually not too brutal and more often than not, right on target.

Barbara: I was not one of the original six, but I had my very first publication in the inaugural edition of The Ladies Killing Circle in 1995. I remember rushing down to Prime Crime Bookstore when the shipment arrived from the publisher, and opening the book to see my name in print for the first time. What a thrill! Since then, I've been privileged to become a member of the "Circle". The critiquing is inspirational, but I cherish the friendship. And the laughter. Who else would join me over a nice bottle of Australian Merlot, debating the relative merits of the gun vs. the bludgeon?

Joan: Thoughtful, even-handed criticism fostered my growth as a writer. Because we encouraged each other to aim ever higher I reached goals I might not have attained had I not been part of a supportive group. I also prize the friendship and support we provided for one another in times of joy and sorrow.

Vicki: Let’s have a look at the next question on this list. What is the edible/drinkable Christmas treat you anticipate the most?

Joan: Being a writer I love Christmas letters, love finding out what's been happening in friend's lives and figuring out what they aren't writing about. Also love beautiful Christmas cards supporting charities especially if they feature dogs.

Vicki: I think shortbread cookies are the treat I wait for. I usually bake a couple of double batches. I also look forward to a full-on Boxing Day dinner at my sister-in-law's house, with turkey, meatballs, venison, moose, twelve salads, ten side dishes and a partridge in a pear sauce. Followed by 4 kinds of pie and a birthday cake for Jesus. Not that I eat it all, but I sure like not having to cook for a day. When we come home we feel like we don't need to eat again until Tuesday.

Barbara: For me, the festive season is a doubly dangerous time, since I get to celebrate not only Christmas at my sister's place but Hanukah at my own (for eight, diet-defying days, no less!). Latkes with sour cream, eggnog, plum pudding with hard sauce, mince meat tarts... LoCal all the way.

Mary Jane: Our special LKC Christmas lunch has great meaning for all of us and I always look forward to it. We look extremely ladylike (coifed and jacketed and necklaced) and all six make at least a half-hearted effort not to discuss the digestive turbulence of our various (mostly dogs) pets in whatever elegant restaurant has been chosen. We also try not to speak too loudly of garrotes or guillotines.

Vicki: The next question is, do we have any tips about shopping, wrapping, gift-giving, entertaining, etc? Being a Virgo, I shop early and fast. I like to get it over with. I find gift-giving quite stressful, trying to find something the other person might like. Memorable gifts I have received include the corner stones for my grave, given by my practical mother-in-law. I wonder if there was a secret message in that?

Barbara: I think the Christmas types among us have it easy! Hanukah is eight days long, a nightmare for parents with multiple children. When my three children were little, that meant 24 presents for them alone! Luckily, the perpetually penniless adults were cut back to one.

Linda: Be sure to give a book to everyone on your Christmas list, preferably by a Canadian mystery author. Even better, an LKC anthology! Let me review the titles that are still in print: Fit to Die, Bone Dance, When Boomers go Bad, and Going Out with a Bang.

Mary Jane: Gift giving? We Ladies are all about saving the economy book by book. After all the fuss, I think the best day of the year is Boxing Day, with a house full of food and drink, Christmas chores over, and time to sit and read. So, if Santa doesn't put a pile of Canadian mysteries in my stocking, he's going to have to watch his back. I have a head full of dangerous ideas and I'm not afraid to use them.

Vicki: We’re at the end of the questions. Any final thoughts, Ladies?

Linda: Give books...give often!


Vicki Cameron is the author of Clue Mysteries and More Clue Mysteries, each
15 short stories based on the board game Clue. Her young adult novel,
Shillings, appeared in 2007. Her stories appear in the Ladies' Killing
Circle anthology series and Storyteller Magazine. Her young adult novel,
That Kind of Money, was nominated for an Edgar and an Arthur Ellis.

CRIME ON MY MIND

Writing is not a lonely life, as is often stated. How can it be when the writer is immersed in a world filled with such wonderful characters? Of course, they're wonderful...they're your creation. What writing is though, is a solitary life. And, I know there are exceptions to this what with co-authors and such. But basically, we sit alone at our computers or with pen and paper in hand, and write. Hopefully, without too many interruptions from the outside world.

To balance this self-imposed solitude, there's nothing like a critiquing group. We've been together for over 15 years now (I sometimes fictionalize numbers as the memory grows more congested with details) and seen each other through first attempts at novels, moving onto short stories, anthologies, and then, quite wonderfully, published novels! And over that time we evolved into The Ladies' Killing Circle.

Our early routine was a regular bi-weekly meeting. Having pre-read each others chapters made that time together move faster and be of more value. And, of course, it also left time for lunch and a gabfest. When we moved into editing anthologies, it was short stories that claimed our time at these sessions, ours and others. Then, the book contracts started multiplying -- Mary Jane Maffini, Barbara Fradkin and Joan Boswell led the way. Along with Vicki Cameron and Sue Pike, we were being short-listed and winning mystery writing awards on both sides of the border.

I like to think the critiquing group played a valuable role in all of this. We practice tough-love when reading, with a steely eye on logic, grammar, descriptions of characters and settings, and over-all readability. There's not one of us who will ever forget HDSF -- Vicki's code for, How Does She Feel. See that boldly penned in red ink across a page and let the re-writes begin!

Our routine has changed, as careers and life in general intervene, and most critiquing is done via email these days. Entire manuscripts are sent rather than a few chapters at a time. Tract changes take the place of red pens marking paper.

What has not changed is the value of having your fabulous words critiqued by those whose opinions you trust and who also know the business. And, of course, the support. That urging you on to produce, to rewrite, to rewrite again, and to get your work out there...on spec, to a contract deadline. Whatever. Just write it.

But, best of all, is the friendship. BFF! What a wonderful gift to the solitary writer.

Who are the gifts in your life?