5 Reasons Why I Took the Series Writing Plunge

By Veronica Cline Barton, Author of My American Almost Royal Cousin Series #CozyMystery 

When I first started my writing career in late 2016, it didn’t take me long to figure out that I was destined to create a cozy mystery series. It’s my favorite genre, and one where I feel a sense of lovely, deadly, writing inspiration. I made a decision early on that if I was going to commit the time and energy to writing a book, one would certainly not be enough—I’d always be wondering what the characters were up to next, LOL (this enquiring mind always wants to know…). To date I’ve written and published three books to date and have just completed my latest #WIP. Four books written in three years—my lethal, little gray cells have been unleashed! 

To me the characters in my stories become almost like family and friends—you come to know all their quirks, background, weaknesses, and interests. When the mysteries and mayhem come into play in each story, how the characters react does in fact change and evolve. In My American Almost Royal Cousin Series, I decided to spice up the cozy world with other topics I’m passionate about: fashion, royals, actors, castles, and of course loads of food and cocktails with a dash of humor—finding bodies gives one an appetite! My readers always tell me how hungry (or thirsty) they get while reading my books. I must admit; Cherrywood Hall’s Chef Karl works his culinary magic to create the most delectable delights to sample as the plot unfolds. Main character Gemma is his biggest fan!

Here are the 5 main reasons why I’m inspired to write a series:

Character Evolution:

In real life, all of us change each and every day—we learn new topics; are exposed to different experiences; meet new people; visit locations near and far…I’m going to bet our fictional characters evolve too. It’s tough being a character in a cozy mystery series, one never knows if this will be his or her final chapter (eek!).

For those who are destined to carry on, I love to see what is new in their lives, and how they’re growing and adapting in their make-believe world.

 A Change in Scene:

Country life, big cities, world tours—the sky’s the limit when it comes to settings. Everyone loves staying at my fictional castle, Cherrywood Hall—the countryside setting, and seaside views are fabulous—what’s a few bodies between cozy friends?

Every now and then though it’s nice to visit the big cities and stay at glamourous locations—don’t forget the wonderful restaurants too! My real-life travels inspire and let me explore the places my characters visit in my stories—my latest book has several scenes from by favorite royal abode, Hampton Court Palace, dun-dun-dun!

Everyday Life/Duties/Events can be Joyful, or Deadly:

Most likely you will never see earth shattering asteroids, alien invasions, or dragons flying the skies in a cozy mystery world (although, never say never!). It’s the simple things: tea with the queen; a dinner gala; a TV broadcast; a publicity/promotion tour…you know, those everyday events occurring in the lives of the rich and famous can be very fun and prove to be very deadly indeed. Don’t forget the prequel events, weddings, funeral, seances and holidays—mischief and mayhem always seem to be lurking around the cozy corners, no matter what time of year, bringing to life a new story!

Storylines are Snapshots in Time, not Epochs:

My book storylines usually occur in a matter of weeks or a few months (so that I can write (and you can read) more books!). I’ve found if I draw out a plot for a longer period, it’s tougher to keep things interesting and moving along. My characters expect the mysteries to be revealed quickly and scoundrels dealt with forthwith—on to the next mur-dah!

Out with the Bad, in With the Good:

It happens, sometimes those marvelous nuggets and darlings you thought were terrific turn out to be just ‘meh’. A series allows you to purge the characters and settings that just aren’t cutting it to make the next book ‘just right’. Hard, yes, but as British author, Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch once originally opined, (apologies King and Faulkner), kill your darlings, it will make for a better story.

What’s next for me and my series? A possible move from self-published offerings to traditional published works. I’ve begun my #AmQuerying campaign to submit my latest #WIP, Mistletoe & Mayhem, Yuletide at Castlewoood Manor, to agents and their agencies that focus on the #cozymystery genre. I’m super excited to see how this latest endeavor of mine turns out. I’m also researching background material for another new series—you just never know! There’s always something exciting happening in a cozy mystery world, and I for one can’t wait to see whodunit! 

Veronica Cline Barton links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VClinebarton  @VClinebarton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries/ 
Blog: https://myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries.com 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veronicaclinebarton/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17736857.Veronica_Cline_Barton  

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/veronica-cline-barton

AuthorUpROAR: https://authoruproar.com/category/authors/all-authors/v/veronica-cline-barton/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079XYHYPF 

DEADLY RECEPTIONS: THE DEBUT OF CASTLEWOOD MANOR, Veronica Cline Barton

The stakes have never been higher for American heiress Gemma Lancaster Phillips, now firmly ensconced as both resident and employee of her ancestral estate, Cherrywood Hall. Together with her cousin Evan, 8th Marquess of Kentshire, and her boyfriend Kyle, the estate manager, Gemma wants nothing more than to pull off the royal wedding of the season while planning the premiere and U.S. tour for the period drama series, Castlewood Manor, and attending the Telly Tiara awards show.

But an ex-love threatens Gemma’s and Kyle’s relationship, while the reveal of explosive secrets has the potential to shatter Gemma’s relationship with her cousin and her future at Cherrywood Hall. Jealousy and revenge mix with royal drama, power plays and scandal as the Tellys grow closer―with deadly results.

Will Gemma, with the help of Scotland Yard, be able to put a stop to the mayhem? Or will the wedding, the tour, the Tellys―and Gemma’s life―be ruined?

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Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips