A Great Site for Writers

Whether you read or write mysteries yourself, check out this website: www.criminalbrief.com Half a dozen mystery short story writers each have a day to post an article and I believe any writer will find them interesting even though the posts are on a variety of subjects. James Lincoln Warren started the site and posts on Mondays. Leigh Lundin, Robert Lopresti and John M. Floyd are among the others who post. All are regular contributors to major mystery magazines. Today Floyd tells an interesting story about Ernest Hemingway.

Thanks for the link Dick! I checked it out and found this:

Write a story using only 13 sentences. The first sentence must begin with an “A,” the next with a “B”, then a “C” until you finish the story with a sentence beginning with an “M.”

I'm going to have a crack at this. Don't know if it will be a mystery -- it's a mystery to me! I'll post it when I'm done.

What fun, dick! The Hemingway story was a good one, and the 'a,b c story' sounds intriguing. Another great link for me to thank you for.

Here's my first attempt. Be kind!


A life-changing offer arrived without warning. Before noon the next day, Tabitha would be rich. Clearing her debts would no longer be a problem and, if things worked out, she would be a very wealthy woman. Deciding to accept the offer should be easy then. Especially, since she had so much to gain for doing so little. Family money was at last within her grasp.

Go for it she thought as she convinced herself that it would be worth it. Hard earned cash would be a thing of the past. Interest rates that pushed her further into debt would now work for her and increase her wealth. Just a day from now, she could be taking out a contract that would solve all her financial problems.

Killing someone for money no longer seemed so bad. Look at it this way, the old man is going to die soon anyway.

Maybe it’s for the best; for me that is.

Oh, Shelagh! I want to read the rest. Good job.

Oooh! I must try that! But my story isn't a mystery ...
I'm going to put one sentence on each line to make it easier to keep track.
Okay, one, two, GO!

Allison looked up at the starry sky and smiled.
Both her sisters slept soundly, so she knew she wouldn't be missed.
Creeping to the chair near the window, she snatched up her jacket and hurried away.
Darkness enveloped the backyard as she climbed down the tree that was her escape route from her bedroom.
Easing herself to the ground, Allison glanced around as she searched among the shadows.
"Fernando?" she whispered.
"Gotcha!"
Her lover wrapped his arms around her middle and twirled Allison to face him.
"I've missed you, Mi Amor!"
"Just as I've missed you, Darling."
"Keep meeting me and soon things will be arranged."
Looking deeply into his eyes, Allison nodded.
Marriage in two more days and then they'd live happily ever after.


Okay! That was interesting ...... and it only took 8 minutes!

An 8 minute romance. That's a quicke.

It took me at least five times as long as Joelle to write my short story. I keep telling everyone how difficult I find writing. Q.E.D.

Okay, now how about N through Z?

Those were pretty good stories. You both should get an A plus.

Great link Dick-I have bookmarked it so I can keep exploring.

Great stories Shelagh and JoElle! Don't worry that it takes time Shelagh--that's why they call it work! You'll notice I didn't even take a stab at it.

Neither did I, Pam. Give me a few days to think about it! I suppose they must be correct sentences, no run-ons! I have too many words, I think.

Dick Stodghill wrote:

Those were pretty good stories. You both should get an A plus.

Thanks Dick! I cheated a little. I'd read your short stories and stole your sense of humour!

Check out Dick's Rough Old Stuff:

http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Old-Stuff-Dick-Stodghill/dp/061515364X/