Series or Standalones by M.M. Gornell

Madeline (M.M.) Gornell has four published mystery novels—PSWA awarding winning Uncle Si’s Secret (2008); Death of a Perfect Man (2009); Eric Hoffer Fiction finalist and Honorary Mention winner, the da Vinci Eye finalist, and Montaigne Medalist finalist Reticence of Ravens (2011); and PSWA award winner and Hollywood Book Festival Honorary Mention Lies of Convenience (2012). Both Reticence of Ravens and Lies of Convenience are Route 66 mysteries.

Madeline is also a potter with a fondness for stoneware and reduction firing. She lives with her husband and assorted canines in the Mojave Desert in a town on internationally revered Route 66.

 

Welcome back to Mysterious Writers, Madeline. It's great to have you stop by during the Mystery We Write Blog Tour.

 

Oh Jean, so great being back on tour with you. I’ve so enjoyed being on “the bus” with you before (of course with Earl Staggs driving—you can’t lose!) Even though we’ve talked about so many aspects of writing on our tours—it’s a BIG topic—you’ve thankfully once again offered me the opportunity to spout-off about an aspect of writing I’m interested in. Wonderful! 

I’ve gushed over P.D. James before, and what an inspiration she has been for me. However, one of your topic possibilities that caught my eye—series or standalones—believe it or not, took me back to P.D. When I started writing novels, I wanted to emulate her, i.e., a male protagonist in a detective mystery series.

 

Well, the writing gods had other ideas! Instead, I’ve been inspired by various locations to right standalone mysteries. Each with a different set of characters, encountering unique circumstances, in unique locations (two are tied to California’s Mojave High-Desert.) And for protagonist, only one has been male—Hubert Champion III in Reticence of Ravens. And, my current work-in-progress is my first attempt to write a sequel—and truthfully, it’s tough going. I like jumping in, then jumping out of my character’s lives. For me, that’s so much part of the writing-fun. With Hugh, I’m taking one of his “what-if” possibilities to its short-term conclusion. I’m having to decide Hugh’s fate (admittedly only short term), but still, it’s a new experience—and turning out to be slow going. Working title, Counsel of Ravens. 

On the promotions front, part of me thinks standalones are harder to develop a reader following. But my creative inspirations have minds of their own! Alas, already developing a story idea for another location I passed recently even though  my sequel awaits!

 

Thanks, Jean, for inviting me back on this tour and letting me spout-off once again. Sure enjoy visiting with you.

My pleasure. You can learn more about Madeline (M.M. Gornell) and her books at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and Smashwords, in paper and e-book formats. And you can visit her online at her website http://www.mmgornell.com , or her BLOG http://www.mmgornell.wordpress.com. You can also email her directly at mmgornell@earthlink.net 

Book Giveaway:

Buster, Dobie, and Mugs (the latest) are each drawing a name from comments for free copies of Lies of Convenience (or a M.M. Gornell title of your choosing)

 Buy link for Lies of Convenience:

http://www.amazon.com/Lies-Convenience-M-Gornell/dp/0985500808/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349831772&sr=8-1&keywords=lies+of+convenience