Research at the Surgeons' Hall Museum

I am a member of the Society of Authors, and thus the Society of Authors in Scotland. This excellent organisation arranges a veritable plethora of different visits for authors. The latest one was particularly good for crime writers, so as you can imagine I signed up in a heartbeat. This was to the Surgeons' Hall Museum in Edinburgh. What a superb visit this turned out to be. Also chock full of information that might just, one day, end up in a book,

The Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh started as a medieval guild, The guild of Barber Surgeons, in 1505. Only members could practice as surgeons.   This makes it one of the oldest medical colleges in the UK. The barbers pole is actually from the surgeon - red for blood and white bandages. Now I knew barbers poles were a remnant of their time when they were also surgeons but didn't know about the colours. It is housed in beautiful building in the Old Part of Edinburgh.

The museum contains a mock lecture theatre which displays a recreation of the first dissection in both Edinburgh and Scotland. There was a video with a surgeon talking as though he were in the hall giving an anatomy lesson to students. In the centre was a body on a dissection table. This lit up as the various organs were discussed. Brilliantly done. This was the way in which trainee surgeons originally learned about human anatomy. Dissection could also be given as a punishment.  The Judge could say they could be hanged and dissected. The hangman separated the guilty party's  body from his soul. His body was then handed over to the Royal College of Surgeons.

Despite this there were not enough bodies to meet demand. Cue Burke and Hare of the body snatchers fame. These guys originally handed a body over where the person had died of natural causes. They received some money in exchange for the body and thought it would be a good way to earn a living. So, they murdered sixteen people and sold the bodies to Robert Knox. When they were caught Hare turned evidence and Burke took the fall for the whole thing.  He was punished to death and dissection. The dissection was done privately but this led to a public outcry. Therefore, his body was put on public display. Thousands of people came from all over the country to see him.  Nothing like a bit of notoriety I think.

Pocketbook made from the skin of William Burke

©Surgeons’ Hall Museums at The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

Now this is where the story gets even more interesting. They made notebooks out of Burke's skin and the museum has one of these on display. You are not allowed to take photographs in the museum but they very kindly sent me a photo of the book and allowed me to use it in this blog. I would like to thank them for doing so. This is the photo above. What a way to end up. At least he came in useful I suppose.

Museum has been opened to the public since it opened in 1832. It continues to do an amazing job today. It is one of the most interesting museums I have ever visited and I learned so much. For example Joseph Bell was the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes. He was only 16 when he started to study medicine and used logic and fact to work out what might be wrong with his patients. Now, as a crime writer, that is fascinating. 

I would highly recommend a visit to the museum for anyone visiting Edinburgh. If you want to know more visit the museums website http://museum.rcsed.ac.uk The staff are helpful and extremely knowledgable about all the exhibits in the museum. They are happy to chat and answer any questions. 

So my Bookaholics a different but interesting post today. Now you know what Crime Writers get up to in the name of research. I keep saying being a crime writer is a blast and I am sure you will agree that is true. See you all back here soon. Until then keep reading and writing. Remember to live life to the full and enjoy whatever you are doing. 

The First Year as a Published Author

It's Christmas day and 2015 is fast coming to an end. This is a time when thoughts turn to the year past and what the new year will bring. Today's blog will be given over to introspection, a review of what has been, and a taste of what is yet to come. 

I cannot believe that a year has gone by since Killer's Countdown was published. Only one year since I put my first book out into the world and waited to see what would happen. Would anyone like the book? Would I find readers? I am told all authors feel like this, not only with the first book, but with subsequent books. I am pleased to report that Killer's Countdown was more than warmly received and is selling well. 

Since the first book came out I have published a further two in the series, Killer's Craft and Killer's Cross. Readers have taken DI Shona McKenzie to their heart and the books are flying off the shelves, in both the physical and digital sense. It has been a whirlwind year of book launches, signings and talks. I consider it a privilege to meet readers and to talk to them about both my books and writing. I have appeared in many guises and there has been a lot of fun and laughter along the way. Signings have taken place in cafes, restaurants, shopping centres, craft shops, fairs, Waterstones bookshops and CLC bookshops. I've given talks in libraries from Dundee to London, at conferences and in village halls. Also at the three book launches in Waterstones Dundee. Again I consider all this to be a privilege and I feel blessed. All three books have been bestsellers on Amazon and in bookstores. As an author I cannot describe the giddy feeling that this brings. I certainly didn't imagine that at the beginning of the year.

So what of 2016. I am looking forward to what the new year will bring. I will be ushering it in with a free book which will be available on my website - http://www.wendyhjones.com and on this blog. For those of you who are fans of Shona you will understand why it is called DI Shona McKenzie's Guide to Killing Your Boss. For those of you who haven't yet met her this is your chance. This will be the only book in the series which will be free, so it is well worth downloading. As a little taste here is the first reveal of the cover.

It seems fitting as a writer to start a new year with a new book. However, the fourth book in the DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries is well on it's way. I am hoping it will be released in April. You will find out more on this blog in due course. I am also working on a book on Marketing and Promotion which will be released in March. It's a busy time, and I couldn't be happier. Knowing that I am writing books that others enjoy is a heady feeling. Being a writer is a blast.

I hope you my Bookaholic friends have had a fabulous Christmas and that your stockings were stuffed with lots of lovely books. May your new year bring you joy, peace and happiness. If you are a writer I wish you all the very best with your writing and your books. Thank you all for spending the last year with me and supporting me every step of the way. I look forward to spending the next year with you on a myriad of adventures. 

An Author's Thoughts Revealed

It has been a bit of a busy time for me recently. Book two in the DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries is finished and I am waiting for the proof copy to turn up. I am reliably informed it will be here today. This means I can't settle and my thoughts are all over the place. There is still much to do before the launch which still seems so far away. Yet it is less than five weeks. The launch will be held in Waterstones, Dundee on 20th July at 6.30 pm. I'm excited beyond belief, and very much looking forward to the event. So I am sure you can understand why my thoughts are erratic. 

Whilst I am writing this blog, and doing anything else in fact, all I can think about is the postman arriving. Only a writer will understand what it means to hold the first copy of a new book in my hands. This is a time of magic. It belongs to me, and all those months and years of hard work have come to fruition. For five weeks I can hold it in my hand. There is still time to nurture it and make changes. However, in five weeks it will be set free and into the hands of the reading public. All authors know that this is an anxious time. Will readers enjoy the book is what fills my thoughts on launch day. 

So, today, I am finding it difficult to settle. I am finding it difficult to concentrate. What does an author do in such circumstances? Why read a book of course. In order to be an author, you first need to be a reader. My love of reading is up there with that of my writing. I have bookcases full of books which I have not yet read. I can savour the glorious feeling of anticipation as I choose the perfect book. I will then grab a cup of tea, a chocolate biscuit and sit down with the book. It will occupy my mind and hold me in its grip. It will stop me thinking about the postman's arrival.

What's that you say? What have I chosen? That my friends will remain a mystery until next time. See you all back here soon with a review of my chosen book. 

In the meantime I will leave you with a picture of the cover of book two in the DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries. If you haven't yet read book one you can get it from the links on the right hand side of the blog. By for now, and keep reading. 

Guest Post by Juliet B. Madison

Today on Bookaholic we welcome back Juliet B Madison to talk about her latest DI Frank Lyle related project. Juliet is undertaking a worthwhile project. Collecting stories together for a charity anthology. Thank you Juliet and it's over to you.

A short time ago I issued a writing challenge.

My idea was to come up with an anthology of stories by other writers which could be published and sold to raise money for charity.

But I wanted to do something different. I have often wondered how other people would get on writing about my characters so I decided to make it a DI Frank Lyle fan fiction challenge. The three stories I have received so far have done my characters proud and I look forward to gathering them altogether into the DI Lyle anthology Alternate Voices.

You can find out the requirements for your story on My website

I have devised my own Twitter hashtag for the anthology. Please use it whenever you tweet about Alternate Voices. #AlternateVoices

I have selected Macmillan Cancer Support as the charity to benefit from Alternate Voices. They were extremely helpful to my late partner, David, and I when he was ill. I intend to release Alternate Voices on 23rd September 2015 which will be the 7th anniversary of David’s death. That is always a difficult week for me so it will help to have something positive to focus on during that time. You can read about their work here.

In these times of austerity it can often be hard to find money for “luxuries” such as entering a writing competition. I wanted to give new authors a challenge and a chance to showcase their writing. By effectively taking a story as payment you can be sure that the entrant writes because she wants to (I haven’t had any male writers enter just yet) and therefore writes from the heart and through the love of their (or in this case my) characters.

Unless I am suddenly totally inundated ALL stories entered will appear in Alternate Voices. The one I judge to be my favourite after the final submission date of 1st July 2015 will be published in full on Juliet B Madison Crime author

So far competition is tough; I love all the stories I have received for different reasons, but all of them have captured the essence of the series and characters.

Sadly there have been a few writer friends unable to join in this time around, but I wish them well with their current projects. It is impossible to pick a time when there won’t be someone who can’t take part.

I sincerely hope that everyone reading this will show support to the anthology even if they don’t contribute a story.

Thank you Juliet. It has been a pleasure having you join us again. You can find out more about Juliet and her work via the links below.

http://julietbmadisoncrimeauthor.weebly.com/

http://difranklylefanz.weebly.com/

https://twitter.com/JulietBMadison

www.facebook.com/JulietMadisonCrimeAuthor

That's it for another day my Bookaholic friends. I will see you all back here very soon. Until then, keep reading.

Interview with Donna Fletcher Crow

Today on Bookaholic I am honoured to welcome Historical Crime Writer Donna Fletcher Crow. Donna writes The Monastery Murders which are set in the UK. I know you are a busy lady Donna, so thank you for taking time out to join us and tell us about your books. 

I love being here on your blog, Wendy. Only thing better would be being together in person so we could share a cup of Scottish Blend tea.

I am sure the readers would love to hear about you. Could you start by telling you a little bit about yourself?

Wife of more than 50 years, mother of 4, grandmother of 13 ½. Writer of 45 books— mostly novels of British history. Enthusiastic, but haphazard, gardener and fussy tea-drinker.

Could you tell us a little bit about where you are from?

I am one of those rare Idahoans that is actually a native. Most of our population is from other states who have discovered the delights of our unspoiled, uncluttered state. Idaho is mountainous and agricultural with wide open spaces. Really a lot like Scotland— I always feel very at home there. As, I’m sure, did my Scottish ancestors who emigrated here.

I think this is a perfect place for a writer to live because our pace of life is slightly slower, so hopefully one has time to breathe and think. This was especially true of my growing up as I was an only child living on a farm. I made up stories in my head to entertain myself. 

 

 

Wow what a beautiful place to live Donna. Your photos make me want to visit. 

Could you tell us a bit about your writing and your books?

I think the most important thing is for a writer is to write from their passion and my passion has always been British history— ever since I wrote my first short story about King Arthur when I was in the third grade. Therefore, whether I’m writing romance or mystery, contemporary or historical, all my stories have a lot of British history, especially Christian history, in the background.

My best known work is the epic Glastonbury, an Arthurian grail search covering 15 centuries of British history from the birth of Christ through the Reformation.

My most recent release is A Newly Crimsoned Reliquary, book # 4 in my Monastery Murders. In this series Felicity, a thoroughly modern American woman goes to study in a theological college run by monks in a monastery in Yorkshire. Each book requires Felicity and Father Antony, her church history lecturer, to look deep into history to find the clues to why people are being murdered today.

In A Newly Crimsoned Reliquary Felicity and Antony struggle with personal and family problems as they explore St. Frideswide, the Oxford Martyrs, John and Charles Wesley’s Holy Club, and the Oxford Movement as murder stalks Oxford’s hallowed shrines.

Where do you get the inspiration for your fiction?

My plots either start with a story from history I want to tell or from an area of the UK I want to explore in depth. One of my major goals as a writer is to give my readers a “you are there” experience— my books are a bit of a travelogue— in order to do this I have to experience the place first. My plots often grow out of the settings. I often look around in an atmospheric setting and think “What a great place to hide a body.”

How do you carry out the research for your books?

Once I’ve settled on the bones of my story— the setting, the historical background, the major plot points, my characters’ personal relationships — I read everything I can find on the subject on this side of the Atlantic. Then I plan my onsite research trip which will hopefully cover everyplace my characters will visit.

Through the years this has provided the most incredible experiences visiting museums, castles, ruined monasteries, and out-of-the-way historic sites. The more crumbling the ruin, the more remote the site, the dustier the artifact the better I like it. Readers can see pictures from my research trips on my website under Research Albums.

When you are not writing what types of books do you read?
My writing is a model of the classic advice, “Write what you like to read.” I started out writing romance. When I suddenly realized I couldn’t read another romance I switched to writing historicals. When I began to feel I needed “something more” to keep the pages turning I began specializing in murder mysteries, which have long been my “default position” in pleasure reading.

What would you say was the best book you have ever read?

Other than the Bible, I assume you mean. That’s always first every morning. Beyond that, it’s easier to name my favorite authors. Jane Austen is my great literary love, Persuasion my favorite of her books. I wrote A Jane Austen Encounter in my Elizabeth and Richard literary suspense series as a tribute to her. My favorite mystery writers are Dorothy L Sayers, The Nine Tailors probably my favorite, and P. D. James with Death in Holy Orders topping the list.

What is your favourite food?

Ah, Christmas cake with lots of marzipan, salmon and American style salads. All with cups of good strong tea.

If you could visit any country in the world, where would it be?

No prizes for guessing it would normally be the UK. Even if I lived there I could never visit all the places I want to explore. But just at the moment I’m going to have to say Japan because our oldest son and his family— which includes four of our grandchildren— are moving there and besides the fact that we will miss them, it has always been important to me to share my childrens’ experiences, just as I always try to experience my characters’ adventures.

Have you got any more books planned? If so, are you able to tell us something about them?

Always, Wendy! I have two books in the editing process right now. The Flame Ignites will be a prequel to my Elizabeth and Richard literary suspense series. It is set in an autumnal blaze of red and gold leaves in 1984 when Elizabeth and Richard first meet. Literary figures are the belovd American novelist Elswyth Thane, with whom I shared an extended friendship via postal mail, and Rudyard Kipling. Very few people know Kipling lived in New England and did some of his most important writing there.

My next Monastery Murder also has a fiery title: An All-Consuming Fire. This is set in a monastery in Yorkshire at Christmastide and I don’t mind divulging that it includes Felicity and Antony’s wedding—modeled on our daughter’s English wedding, likewise to a priest. The fire referred to in the title is Richard Rolle’s mystical work The Fire of Love. The English mystics Rolle, Walter Hilton and the author of The Cloud of Unknowing provide background.

Thanks for joining us and answering the questions Donna. I, and the Bookaholic readers, appreciate it. I am sure many of us are looking forward to reading your books. 

Thank you again for inviting me, Wendy. I’ve had fun visiting. And I would like to invite your readers to visit my website to see more about all of my books, including trailers of some of my Monastery Murders, pictures of my research trips and photos from my garden. I would also love to have you follow me on Facebook.

And since you were so kind to share pictures of Dundee with me, here are a few photos of Boise, Idaho: 

You can find out more about Donna and her books at Amazon UK and Amazon USA

Finally Bookaholics, I have read some of Donna's books and they are excellent. Well worth buying now. Once you start you will want to read them all. Enjoy the books and I will see you all back her every soon.

Focus on Crime Writing

 

Today on the blog we are going to be focussing on the Cromarty Crime and Thriller Weekend. For those Bookaholics who don't know about this weekend, it happens every April and is masterminded by Ian Rankin. As always this was a fabulous weekend, with great authors, who are also genuinely nice and funny in the extreme. Apart from meeting, and chatting to, the authors, the talks that they give are a highlight of the weekend. Each author brought their own unique perspective and I found them fascinating. Below is an overview of each of the talks.

The weekend started with a fancy dress, murder mystery dinner party. This had a 1945 theme, hence my wearing an army uniform. I failed to win the prize yet again. However, I was in good company, as neither did Ian Rankin. 

Saturday and Sunday were given over to talks by the authors. 

Louise Welsh talked about Writing the End of The World. This focused on her trilogy the first book of which is A Lovely Way to Burn. Denise read from this and had me hooked from the first page. This book shows how a well written opening can not only hook a reader, but grab then by the throat and pull them in. The second book is called Death is a Welcome Guest, but here's the kicker. It's not released until June. I will be the first person in the queue to buy it. After hearing Louise speak I will be looking very carefully at the opening of my crime novels in the future. 

Ian Rankin talked about using the real world in your books. The real world changes, and writers have to be aware of this. Whilst most readers do not care about minutiae, it is important to be correct where possible. It is also important to know about changes and reflect these in books, where possible. The example given was that of the change to policing in Scotland. They now come under one big umbrella as Scottish Police. 

Christopher Brookmyre focussed on Characterisation and highlighted this through the character of Jack Parlabane. As writers it is important to know what happens to characters and how they change. The real world will change characters, but more importantly our impression of characters. Chris, thinks that Jack Parlabane becomes more interesting as real life changes. 

Denise Mina said that in crime writing the reader is being told a story which will make some sort of sense. Crime writing comes from an oral tradition, therefore crime writers should listen to people who tell stories. She also quoted Graham Greene in that writers always need to remember the question in the readers mind. She also talked about writing adult comics and her experience of this. 

All the writers are fascinating and funny. I laughed for the whole weekend, and had so much fun. One thing they all have in common is that, whilst they all love being writers, and are thankful they can do this, they all wonder when it will come to an end. This can be summed up in something Denise Mina quoted. 

Teach a man to read an he'll read for a day. Teach a man to write and he'll experience a lifetime of paralysing self doubt. 

Another thing that these writers have in common, is that they all write outstanding crime books. You can find out more by clicking the link to their Amazon author page below.

Louise Welsh

Ian Rankin

Christopher Brookmyre

Denise Mina

Meet the Author by Katie Aged 11

Recently I was at a local primary School to do a talk for World Book Day. One of the pupils, Katie, agreed to do a blog post about the visit. 

An amazing author came to my school. She told us about her lead up to being an author .

I really enjoyed it. It was very inspirational and made me want to write like her. She got us all writing our own opener for a crime book which I loved doing. It got everyone very excited I had so much fun and a lot of people in my class liked it.

My opener was 

As a young boy was walking home from school two police cars were parked out side of a tree. As he walked by he said in he's head "I shouldn't have done that," he went home and told his dad that he killed a man and hid him up a tree but now I have told I have to kill you now that's two men dead. 3 more to go.

Thank you Katie. I had better watch out or you will be taking my job over as a crime author. It was a pleasure to have you on the blog, and I am glad you enjoyed the visit.

Bloody Scotland Crime Festival 2014

It's that time of year again when Crime Writers and Readers gather in the beautiful Scottish City of Stirling for all things crime related. I thought it would be difficult to surpass last years festival but the organisers somehow managed this. What a fabulous weekend. 

Friday started with a writers day which I was privileged to attend. This was a day of workshops run by leading crime writers including Christopher Brookmyre. During the day participants had a chance to hone their writing skills and to get tips and advice from writers and publishers. This was extremely interesting and helpful to the extreme. Analysing what it is about the writing of well known names in the industry makes them great was enlightening.

Later that night I went to see Christopher Brookmyre being interviewed by Denise Mina. This was a laugh a minute as both authors have a fabulous sense of humour. It was also good to get an idea of how authors work. 

Saturday started with Peter Robinson and David Hewson being interviewed by Lin Anderson. Now I love all three of these authors, so an opportunity not to be missed. If you haven't read any of their books and you love crime then do so immediately. You will not regret it. I have to give special mention to the books of Lin Anderson who is a fellow Scot, with books which are set in both Scotland and Cannes. Well worth a trip to the bookshop. The hour passed in a flash, with a fascinating insight into the lives of both writers. It was interesting to note that their approach is like chalk and cheese. I am looking forward to David Hewson's series set in Amsterdam.

The absolute highlight of my weekend was Cathy Reichs being interviewed by Ian Rankin. That is not a duo you see on stage together very often. Now I have heard Ian speak before and I know he is laugh out loud funny. It turns out that Cathy is just as funny which lead to a hysterical hour. Not only are they both highly talented authors but could also double as stand up comics. This has to be one of the best hours I have ever spent.

So bookaholic has been steeped in both reading and writing over the weekend. A great time was had by all as I could tell from audience reactions. I am off to read my latest David Hewson which I bought and had signed over the weekend. See you all back here on bookaholic soon.

Crime Fiction and the Indie Contribution by Chris Longmuir

We have had Dundee Crime Writer, Chris LongMuir on the blog a couple of times previously when I have interviewed her and reviewed some of her novels. If you would like to take a look then these are Interview with Chris Longmuir - Crime Writer, Book Launch - Missing Believed Dead, The Death Game. 

Today I bring you her latest book, where she provides a fascinating and unique insight into crime writing. 

There are many books out there which cover the different sub genres within the world of crime writing. This is the first one however, which looks at the contribution of the independent, or indie, author to the genre. Chris Longmuir sets the tone of the book by firstly giving a brief explanation of ebooks and ebook readers. It then goes on to talk about the world of ebooks and Indie writers. This is a fascinating, and insightful discussion and certainly gave me a lot of ideas as a writer. However, tis is just a small part of the book.

The main focus of the book is for the reader and talks about crime writing in general and then the sub genres within this. It gives an over view o the genre, it's history and then discusses different authors, and books, within this. Being an absolutely passionate reader of crime fiction, in all it's genres, I loved this section. It left me wanting to read more from the particular authors and I will be downloading some of their books.

This is an excellent book for any author, or reader, of crime fiction. It is well researched and yet written in an approachable style. It is one I would highly recommend. Buy it now, you will not regret it.


           


That brings us to the end of another day on Bookahaolic. I am sure all my crime loving friends will enjoy this book. See you all again soon and keep reading.