tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post2582003110765372374..comments2024-03-28T17:06:34.405-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Transitioning from Traditional Mysteries to Thrillers @EllenByerrumJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36497130631651164032015-09-17T08:57:14.865-04:002015-09-17T08:57:14.865-04:00I love cozies--grew up on Agatha Christie. I also ...I love cozies--grew up on Agatha Christie. I also love (and write) thrillers. I think my main writing genre would be Romantic Suspense, which can be then taken into psychological suspense and paranormal. The romance always plays a major part, but the rest of the story is either psychological or (right now) paranormal. <br /><br />I'd be very interested in reading your dollhouse story. Sounds chilling. Cover's great so is the dollhouse. Reminds me of my mom's dollhouse. <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15435928827370589951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-92058690817502158262015-09-17T08:57:14.609-04:002015-09-17T08:57:14.609-04:00I love cozies--grew up on Agatha Christie. I also ...I love cozies--grew up on Agatha Christie. I also love (and write) thrillers. I think my main writing genre would be Romantic Suspense, which can be then taken into psychological suspense and paranormal. The romance always plays a major part, but the rest of the story is either psychological or (right now) paranormal. <br /><br />I'd be very interested in reading your dollhouse story. Sounds chilling. Cover's great so is the dollhouse. Reminds me of my mom's dollhouse. <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15435928827370589951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-81103269987102424042015-09-16T15:43:07.859-04:002015-09-16T15:43:07.859-04:00So glad you like both types of book, Denise Ann. A...So glad you like both types of book, Denise Ann. And yes, Leslie, Bob gets extra points for the construction of the dollhouse. he is super. I painted it the thing, and we both crawled into the crawlspace for the photo shoot. It's very dry under out house.Ellen Byerrumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02065632480016502746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-7358738546905508362015-09-16T14:40:07.706-04:002015-09-16T14:40:07.706-04:00Congratulations on the new book, Ellen -- and on f...Congratulations on the new book, Ellen -- and on following your muse!<br /><br />And Bob gets Super Husband points for building the dollhouse! Leslie Budewitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11942314846112875042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53867458414416854652015-09-16T14:03:48.270-04:002015-09-16T14:03:48.270-04:00I like both, and this thriller looks amazing. The ...I like both, and this thriller looks amazing. The idea of a dollhouse and danger is a tantalizing mix!Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9538577153909172452015-09-16T13:09:28.508-04:002015-09-16T13:09:28.508-04:00And good luck with The Reckoning Stones, Laura. We...And good luck with The Reckoning Stones, Laura. We both agree on being categorized. Perhaps we should check in and see how our transitions are going. There are so many things to learn. Ellen Byerrumhttp://www.ellenbyerrum.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9529024412709708592015-09-16T13:06:41.433-04:002015-09-16T13:06:41.433-04:00Mono-tasking is a goal, not always achievable. Som...Mono-tasking is a goal, not always achievable. Some people are brilliant at it, I'm not one of them. Things always go better when I can take one or two things off my to-do list and go on to another. I once knew a woman who told me she was writing five books. She was so scattered, she never finished them. <br /><br /> I am so gratified by all these wonderful comments. I am sure there are more distinctions between the various categories, but I have heard that publishers are in the cozy/thriller camp and don't bother with other distinctions. And that is simply not the whole story. There are so many great books out there that don't necessarily fit the mold. <br /><br />Kathy, I do hope the book is a good Halloween read. I also have a Halloween ghost story, if you're in the mood, The Last Goodbye of Harris Turner. Mollie, I so appreciate your positive comments and and everyone else's as well. They help keep me going.<br /><br />Lucy / Roberta, Lethal Black Dress is mine as well :). Putting a whole book together is multi-tasking, but the various parts can all be mono tasked. As far as marketing goes, I'll start compiling a list. The thing is, while publishing rules are shifting every day, so are the marketing rules. What may have worked a month ago, might not work today. It's challenging to reach out to readers who don't know you. The best and first is word of mouth and lots of reviews, hopefully most of them positive. Ellen Byerrumhttp://www.ellenbyerrum.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-79672707648345417612015-09-16T12:54:35.502-04:002015-09-16T12:54:35.502-04:00Good luck with the new venture, Ellen. I'm rig...Good luck with the new venture, Ellen. I'm right there with you, with my first suspense novel, The Reckoning Stones, out for a week now. Time will tell if our cozy readers will like our branching out, or if new readers will find us. Like you, I don't like being put in a box (or a crawlspace).Laura DiSilveriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01603655651769232107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68357371787513234352015-09-16T12:48:20.997-04:002015-09-16T12:48:20.997-04:00I do like the explanation of the difference betwee...I do like the explanation of the difference between a mystery and a thriller. I like to read both. I especially enjoy any humor that pops up in these stories. After all, there must be some humor in life's situations or we'd all be gaga!Pat Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23119623326437413132015-09-16T12:44:07.182-04:002015-09-16T12:44:07.182-04:00Congratulations, Ellen, on your courage and persis...Congratulations, Ellen, on your courage and persistence in venturing forth into something new. That can be a challenge for anyone, but in writing, it's definitely a risk. I enjoy both mysteries and thrillers, and thanks for pointing out that simple distinction between the two. <br /><br />Your cover is amazing, and your (and your husband's) dedication to getting it right is most admirable. I love it, and it will be going in my "great covers" category on Goodreads when I read it. I'm thinking that Dollhouse in the Crawlspace is going to be a perfect Halloween read this year. <br /><br />Oh, and mono- or multi-tasking. I am a one task girl. I've never understood how people can read more than one book at a time. I become too engaged with a book to leave it for another.Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-62626729208009455742015-09-16T12:28:40.837-04:002015-09-16T12:28:40.837-04:00I LOVE this book. I have already written Ellen a &...I LOVE this book. I have already written Ellen a "fangirl" email (or two). I've been calling it "deliciously creepy." It is a fabulous read! I think publishers tend to not give readers much credit when it comes to reading across genres. A good story is a good story, no matter what genre it's in. When a writer writes what he or she is called to write, it can only benefit readers. Best of luck with it, Ellen!Mollie Cox Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02139688216224423830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11346128327727955132015-09-16T12:23:32.440-04:002015-09-16T12:23:32.440-04:00Welcome Ellen, I checked early this morning and wa...Welcome Ellen, I checked early this morning and was going to remind you that you were up, but delighted to see you were already here:).<br /><br />Lethal Black Dress Press is yours, am I right? So you were not only writing something new, you were learning how to publish, how to create a cover, and then how to market the thing. That's multi-tasking and it sounds daunting!<br /><br />Any tips on the marketing end that you can share with us?Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60040450392419131982015-09-16T11:51:15.283-04:002015-09-16T11:51:15.283-04:00Hi Ellen! Love your cover. Kudos to you and your h...Hi Ellen! Love your cover. Kudos to you and your husband for making it work. And the title and the premise are great. I admire your determination to write something different while also working on an established and popular series.<br /><br />It's shame that the term "thriller" had become associated with serial killer stories. While I won't read those, I will read a good "suspense" novel and yours is going on my list.<br /><br />As for mono-tasking--yay! I don't get anything done otherwise. It's just getting there that's hard!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-74281521422125647962015-09-16T11:30:27.338-04:002015-09-16T11:30:27.338-04:00I'm a mono-tasker when it comes to my writing....I'm a mono-tasker when it comes to my writing. Each day, I have the thing I need to do, and I work that thing until it's done. Then I move on to the next thing. Unfortunately, my day-job isn't so simple. I support five different products, and that often requires me to fracture my time. I try to say, "This hour (or two) is the time I'm going to work on Project A and nothing else," but that doesn't always go the way I'd planned - for one reason or another.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88277257363210379212015-09-16T11:17:57.194-04:002015-09-16T11:17:57.194-04:00Hi Mary, so glad you like the book. It was really ...Hi Mary, so glad you like the book. It was really a labor of love, and well, just labor. Bob is an integral part of my work, he's a marvelous editor, better than anyone else I've worked with. I don't know what I'd do without him. Hank, I'm delighted to find someone else who believes in doing one thing at a time. We're all whipped into a frenzy of multitasking. Thanks so much for the kind words, Rhys. I know we all can do more than one thing but other people's expectations, while they can be wonderful, can also be limiting.Ellen Byerrumhttp://www.ellenbyerrum.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-55507473034626035092015-09-16T10:00:21.424-04:002015-09-16T10:00:21.424-04:00Ellen, it's so hard to escape from the box you...Ellen, it's so hard to escape from the box your publisher has put you in. After all, they don't want to risk upsetting your fan base with a book that is different. So good luck with this new venture. It sounds wonderful.Rhysnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46861029219568110822015-09-16T09:39:55.651-04:002015-09-16T09:39:55.651-04:00Hurray! And this is a wonderful new adventure. SOu...Hurray! And this is a wonderful new adventure. SOunds terrific. Hurray!<br /><br />And Ellen, I am SO with you on mono tasking. I am a big fan. I insist that's the only way to really do well. Organize, prioritize, calendar--then do the one thing. Reds, what do you all think about that?Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91385074288268406292015-09-16T09:38:50.906-04:002015-09-16T09:38:50.906-04:00I love the cover and the title, Ellen. How wonderf...I love the cover and the title, Ellen. How wonderful that your husband helped.<br /><br />While I like all mysteries, I lean toward the thriller end of the spectrum. As long as there isn't gratitude violence and horror. If there's a little humor, that's good too.<br /><br />I'll definitely be checking this one out!<br /><br />(And thanks, Captcha - now I want waffles!)Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51759345770794099312015-09-16T08:21:53.764-04:002015-09-16T08:21:53.764-04:00Thank you, Hallie. You've nailed where I was g...Thank you, Hallie. You've nailed where I was going with this book. It seems that people really only allow mysteries a couple of descriptions these days. It's either thriller or cozy. This definitely falls between in the suspense area. I felt with this book, I had a bit more freedom that I hadn't explored before. And I was able to play with the language. And so glad you loved the cover, FChurch. That alone was an adventure, hard hats and all under the house.Ellen Byerrumhttp://www.ellenbyerrum.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87979033290291401772015-09-16T07:26:10.330-04:002015-09-16T07:26:10.330-04:00My sister and I are opposites here--she mainly rea...My sister and I are opposites here--she mainly reads thrillers (and I will definitely tell her about yours, Ellen!) and I mainly read mysteries. I get anxious reading thrillers--I often check the ending to see who is still alive at the end of the book! I think I got tired of all the serial killers,too, but I like your statement about the blood trails being minimized--and I really like that cover! Creepy and intense!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88085134482038419752015-09-16T07:21:07.633-04:002015-09-16T07:21:07.633-04:00LOVE the cover photo and the title: DOLLHOUSE IN T...LOVE the cover photo and the title: DOLLHOUSE IN THE CRAWLSPACE brilliant! It oozes suspense before you even crack the spine.<br /><br />I think the term "thriller" is tricky and to some it telegraphs a hard edged even militaristic (snipers, helicopters, explosions...) vibe which "suspense thriller" softens. I like stories about real people (at least some of whom are women)... with an edge. Sounds like that's where you've gone with this new book.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-89071107353714655802015-09-16T05:57:09.780-04:002015-09-16T05:57:09.780-04:00I'm not a huge thriller person, but if it has ...I'm not a huge thriller person, but if it has wise cracks, I am definitely more interested.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671796046538618264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71304065847632280752015-09-16T02:52:08.126-04:002015-09-16T02:52:08.126-04:00There are many thrillers I leave alone myself, Joa...There are many thrillers I leave alone myself, Joan. Mine is suspenseful and leaves the blood trails outside the door. It's not a horror but plays with the idea of identity. And Mark,I'm glad you'll be interested in my next play. it gives me hope there is an audience out there.Ellen Byerrumhttp://www.ellenbyerrum.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11542955679335584852015-09-16T02:26:44.830-04:002015-09-16T02:26:44.830-04:00I don't read that many thrillers. I prefer th...I don't read that many thrillers. I prefer the light of the cozy/traditional mystery. However, kudos to you for writing and finishing it and getting outside your box. The premise certainly does sound interesting.<br /><br />Now, I'm really looking forward to that romantic comedy play you'll finish next.Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-5689615377499370972015-09-16T01:45:33.825-04:002015-09-16T01:45:33.825-04:00Since I enjoy both mysteries and thrillers, I have...Since I enjoy both mysteries and thrillers, I have no real preference one way or the other, although I tend to pass up the horror thrillers. Generally I select books, either mystery or thriller, because the author is someone whose books I enjoy reading or the intriguing plot has captured my interest.<br /><br />I love the Dollhouse cover; this book is on my want-to-read list.Joan Emersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06810313925049108163noreply@blogger.com