Monday, April 20, 2015

RELATING BOOKS TO LIFESTYLE [By Marja McGraw, Guest Writer]


INTRODUCTION: Today Marja McGraw, a Cozy Mystery author, of the SANDI WEBSTER MYSTERY SERIES and the BOGEY MAN MYSTERY SERIES,  has contributed as a guest writer on THE MAGAZINE AT BLOGSPOT, by writing on a topic relevant to LIFESTYLE CORNER

According to her, each of her mysteries contains... 
A little humour, a little romance, and A Little Murder!
 ...and her books concentrate on the characters and solving the crime rather than the crime itself.




I am a mystery writer and I write two series. In every book I have to figure out how the characters and the story might relate to everyday life. Yes, even though there are crimes in the stories, the characters need to be as lifelike as possible. By the way, the books are lighter reading with a little humour included.

One series is about Sandi Webster, a female private investigator. She may have to solve cases, or mysteries, but that doesn't change the fact that she has a romance with her partner, a menopausal mother, and a male employee who's growing and changing. In the midst of solving a crime, she still has to deal with everyday issues, like her mothers mood swings. She's not a loner and she has a best friend. I try to keep her as real as possible. We have relationships and busy lives, and so does she.

The other series involves a Humphrey Bogart look-alike, Chris Cross, known as The Bogey Man. He's married with a young son, and the family often goes through typical family issues. Its just that there's usually a mystery attached to their everyday existence. In this case, Chris and his wife, Pamela, own a 1940s-themed restaurant which causes them to juggle all the parts of their busy lives. Chris uses a lot of forties slang when he speaks, and Pamela finds herself often rolling her eyes in amazement about life. Their son, Mikey, wants nothing more than to become involved in the mysteries, but the Crosses try to keep him safe and out of danger. Lastly, Chris's eccentric mother and quiet father move to town and turn everyone's lives upside down.

So many of us have pets who are a big part of our lives. I added dogs in both series.

In the "Sandi Webster Mystery Series",  I added Bubba, a half wolf, half Golden retriever dog. He's based on a canine a one-time employer owned. He smiles a very toothy grin, as the real dog did, and it scares people because they think he's baring his teeth at them  and he's so big. The construction office where I worked was out in the country and the real Bubba used to stay with me all day. When strangers came calling, he would sit between me and the stranger, smiling. It was his way of being protective, and I always had to explain that he was actually smiling. It still kept them at a distance, between his size and his facial expression.

We have two yellow Labrador retrievers, and I added them to the "Bogey Man Mystery Series". They're called Sherlock and Watson in the stories. (I actually wish I had given them other names for the books, but its too late now.) Dogs have personalities, and these two are quite entertaining. 

In my latest book, How Now Purple Cow, a "Bogey Man Mystery Series ", there's a humorous scene involving Sherlock and Watson and their fear of the dark. Its based on a true story about my own Labs  who are afraid of the dark.

Why add dogs? There are many reasons, but one of the most important is that they're able to add comedy relief when necessary, just by being true to themselves. They also add a level of protectiveness, although sometimes they really have no idea what's going on. They just know that someone may be in trouble. 

I am working on a new Sandi Webster book and bringing in a new character  a small dog named Clementine who happens to be a Chiweenie. You might laugh at that breed name, but she's actually half Chihuahua and half Dachshund. I chuckled when someone thought Chiweenie was the name of an American Indian tribe. 

Characters in books need to be as lifelike as possible so they'll be believable. Of course, this means including good people, bad people, odd character traits, clumsy people, athletic people, and every conceivable type of person I've ever known. 

So, is the lifestyle of people and animals included in books? Yes, and it can be quite entertaining. As an author I try to be true to life, the stories, and myself.

I hope my books take you on an interesting journey through life with their characters.



Ramla Zareen, thank you so much for allowing me to share a bit about my books and the players in them, and how they relate to everyday lifestyles.

Please visit my:
Website 
http://www.marjamcgraw.com/
Blog 
http://www.marjamcgraw.blogspot.com/
Books are available through 
Amazon.com


*****

Note From Ramla Zareen and Maha

Those interested to contribute as guest writers for this blog are welcome to get details by clicking... here...! Thanks!


*****

Ramla Zareen's Website:
http://ramlazareen.blogspot.de/?m=0

Maha's Blog:
https://mahascorner.wordpress.com



45 comments:

  1. Hi Marja, it's a pleasure and an honour for me to have you contribute as a guest writer on my blog...! :-)

    I enjoyed reading your book "The Bogey Man", the fourth book in the "Sandi Webster Mystery Series", that also introduced the main protagonists of the "Bogey Man Mystery Series." 

    I am now looking forward to reading the rest of your books soon :-)

    Thanks for such an interesting post...! :-)

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    1. Thank you for both your comments and for allowing me to be a guest here, Ramla Zareen. I truly enjoy this site.

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    2. Thank you also, Maha. I truly enjoy this site.

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    3. Hi Marja. You are most welcome. It was an absolute delight reading your post and thank you so much for Contributing on our blog. I hope that you contribute here more often.

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  2. Me too. Really looking forward to reading the new soon to be on the shelve books, plus all the ones I have missed. Tomorrow I will go to the library. Great blog. Becoming more interesting as time passes. Fantastic reading the latest post. Thank you Marja.

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    1. Glad to know that you are enjoying the blog ...and thanks for commenting :-)

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    2. Thank you, Huma. I hope the books entertain you.

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  3. Marja, I enjoyed reading about your cozy mysteries. I agree that characters are so important especially in a cozy mystery. That's why I love cozies so much. I want to know what my favorite characters are up to.

    Both of your series sound interesting. Congratulations and best wishes. I will look your series up. Thank you.

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    1. Hi Susan, thanks for visiting my blog ...and for commenting :-)

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    2. Thank you for stopping in, Susan. With all the drama in today's world, cozies are a great relief. : )

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  4. Maha, thanks for featuring Marja here. I enjoy her books and recommend them to anyone who likes a well-written mystery with lovable characters (including Bubba) and intriguing plots laced with humor and romance.

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    1. Thank you for stopping in, Jean. This is fun site. I appreciate your comments about the books.

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    2. Hi Jean, thanks for visiting ...it was a pleasure and an honour to have Marja contribute as a guest writer here...! :-)

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  5. That was a good post--loved it, and too love Marja's books, thanks for hosting her.

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    1. Thank you for stopping in, Marilyn. I, too, appreciate the host, and your comments about the post.

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    2. Hi Marilyn, thanks for visiting ...it was a pleasure and an honour to have Marja contribute as a guest writer here...! :-)

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  6. The guest blogs DO go around Marja. Good observations.
    Una (and Fiona)

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    1. Thank you, Una (and Fiona).

      (Una is on my blog this week at http://www.marjamcgraw.blogspot.com/ where she's talking about reviewing books.)

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    2. Hi Una (aka Fiona), thanks for visiting :-) I have already read your post on Marja's blog and found it very interesting...!

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  7. I have read Marja's books and always look forward to the next one--especially if it has a chiweenie!

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    1. Thank you, Pat! For those who don't know, a Chiweenie is a dog - half Chihuahua and half Dachshund. The book I'm working on introduces this new character, and she is a character.

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    2. Hi Pat, thanks for visiting :-)

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  8. Marja,
    I've said this before and I'll say it again because I think it's worthy of being repeated: I call your books, both series, "feel good mysteries." No matter what problems I'm having in my "real" life, reading one of your novels always makes me feel better. Thank you!

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    1. Pat, Your comment makes me feel like all the angst involved in writing and promoting is worth it. Thank you so very, very much!

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    2. Hi Pat, thanks for visiting :-)

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  9. Hi Marja, just finished How Now Purple Cow, and loved it! I'm very fond of The Bogey Man and Pamela and Mikey, but the sisters, the parents, the dogs, the houses, the restaurant--it's just such a delightful visit with people I like. Whenever I read your books, I "feel" good, a very very good thing! Keep 'em coming my friend...

    Madeline
    (putting a review on Amazon is on my short to-do list!)

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    1. Talk about timing! I just finished your book, Rhodes The Mojave-Stone last night and couldn't put it down. Thank you for stopping in and letting me know how much you enjoyed How Now Purple Cow. I'm so glad when I know I've entertained someone.

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    2. Hi Madeline, thanks for visiting :-)

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  10. Your novels are always entertaining and so much fun to read. Can't wait to read your next Sandi Webster book.

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    1. Hi Evelyn, thanks for visiting :-)

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    2. Thank you, Evelyn! I look forward to your next Charlotte book, too. So many authors have left comments, and you've all given me so much entertainment to choose from.

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  11. I am loving reading these comments as well as the books. As my son has just come from London to visit with half a suitcase full of chocolates, I am in heaven. Books and chocolates , great combination.

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    1. You made me laugh, Huma. Books and chocolates really are a great combination. I'm not sure I could write a book without chocolates at my side. What a wonderful son!

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  12. Thank you . Yes, he knows my weakness for chocolates. Both my children are wonderful. Ramla being the elder one.

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    1. It's a wonderful feeling to know we have children who care so much.

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  13. It's great to have two different types of series going. That way, if you get stuck or bored with one, you can work on the other!

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    1. Hi Morgan, thanks for visiting :-)

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    2. Yes, Morgan, it's a good feeling, and it gives the reader more choices.

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  14. Enjoyed your blog post very much and will seek your work. Wishing you much success. :)

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    1. Hi Jane, thanks for visiting and for leaving a comment...! :-)

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    2. Thank you, Jane! I hope you enjoy the stories.

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  15. Loved hearing what you're up to, Marja. Your explanation on Chiweenie (sp) made me laugh out loud. So glad to see you blogging again...

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    1. Hi, thanks for visiting the blog :-)

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    2. Thank you, Madeline! I'm glad I could get you to laugh. Humor seems to help so often.

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