Although I spent my entire childhood (and beyond) in the library, I also spent it watching television. (My father claimed he bought the first television owned by any family on our block in Brooklyn, NY.) So I have seen every detective show ever produced. And then, when I was in high school, I sat next to a girl who was drawing stick figures with a halo over its head. And that’s when I first learned about Simon Templar “The Saint,” mystery writers, and going to used book stores. So I have also read every celebrated mystery writer—although it never occurred to me to write a mystery until a few years ago.
An old friend of mine from Star Trek conventions, who is also a lawyer and a writer, told me about a writing contest that had to feature some aspect of the law. Since I spent at least 20 years hearing her complain about having to maintain rigorous files, I used that as a jumping-off point to write “Who Killed What’s Her Name?”—the first mystery story I ever wrote and which AHMM published. The protagonist is a combination of myself and my friend; we’re both old, cranky, and forgetful but, fortunately, she is a lawyer emeritus and remembers enough to vet all legal aspects of what I write about.
My latest story, “Beam Me Up, Elsie” was inspired by my career as a book editor specializing in genre fiction, particularly science fiction. Again, I probably spent more than 20 years going to a variety of conventions and, by combining some well-known actors, authors, and various movies, I came up with a hopefully entertaining as well as informative mystery. And I managed to work in plenty of “in jokes.”
Although I have done books in the past, and still have novels I should be finishing, I really enjoy writing short stories and learning how to write mysteries. Particularly how and where to drop clues, and to show the procedures by which mysteries are deduced. I especially am trying to write stories that are not your standard murder mysteries. The one I’m working on now is about a probate squabble featuring an attempted poisoning. And the next one after that is about a possibly cursed box constructed to look like King Tut’s sarcophagus–based on my lifetime interest in the paranormal. So don’t expect me to write about dead bodies for quite a while, though I might throw in some ghosts. And now that I think of it, my other pastimes, which include vending at Native American pow-wows as well as antique shows, plus my extensive knowledge in those areas, could also provide more inspiration for non-traditional stories. So I better get to work. . . .
Trace Evidence 