My Story Characters

Before I sat down to write the first book in my mystery series, I decided the main character would be a young woman. Megan Scott is observant and diligent and works behind the scenes as a ghostwriter. Because her daily routine can become tedious at times, I spiced up her life by adding friction to her workplace and stress to her relationship with her husband. As difficult as her situation had become, I increased the tension and dropped a few dead bodies in her path.

Then I created Michael Elliott, a cool investigative reporter and Megan’s sidekick. His investigation of criminal activities and risky meetings with informants are at odds with Megan’s sheltered lifestyle. The differences in their personalities and viewpoints offer potential for more conflict in the story and keep the plot moving forward. Despite Megan’s aversion to chaos, Michael’s unpredictable investigative efforts spark her curiosity, and she gets involved in helping him unearth and scrutinize clues.

Like the main character, the villain has to be believable. Motives such as jealousy, revenge, and greed are strong triggers that can lead to murder. They also reinforce the existence of an antagonist as a credible villain. Because no villain is pure evil, I add one or two positive attributes to balance things out and keep this character under the radar. I like to introduce a couple of suspects so that guessing the identity of the real villain and the motive behind the crime becomes more challenging.

Supporting characters can include suspects, witnesses, police officers, coworkers, neighbors, friends, and family. A supporting character’s relationship with the main character adds texture and interest to a story and provides a realistic setting in which the mystery unfolds. I enjoy dreaming up “mini” character sketches for a supporting cast and keep them close at hand in case I want to invite a character back in future stories.

The personalities and behaviors of story characters can be as diverse as the colors and shapes of pebbles on the shore. I like all the characters I’ve created and try not to be partial, though I’ll admit that Megan and Michael do have a special place in my heart.

Do you have a favorite story character?

Modern-day Pirates

Ruthless pirates were known to target shipping vessels and trading posts along the New England coast centuries ago, using terror to acquire easy gains. Rumors of hidden chests of gold and jewels have prompted numerous explorations in the area since then, but little historical evidence of buried treasure has ever surfaced.

Modern-day pirates of a different kind inhabit my mystery novel, Fatal Whispers. Set in Portland, Maine, my story plotline runs amok with thieves, blackmailers, and murderers. It should come as no surprise that whenever big money plays a central role, greed, jealousy, and revenge often act as catalysts for major crime.

Here's an excerpt from my mystery novel, Fatal Whispers,that describes one such character:

"He was tall and lean, though strong biceps protruded from his T-shirt. He had narrow eyes and thin lips, and a musty door emanated from him. He wore black thick-soled boots, the sort you'd expect to find on the feet of a tactical squad. I placed him in his mid-forties.

You can find out more about this character and others in Fatal Whispers. Click here for the link to online retailers.

False Impressions: Setting

Choosing Montreal as the main setting for my first mystery novel, False Impressions, couldn’t have been easier. It’s a city I know and love, and it also happens to be my hometown in La Belle Province of Quebec. You could say my book is a tribute to the decades I lived there.

Montreal is vibrant with social life, a sense of fashion, and an eclectic choice of restaurants. And yes, they have poutine! Whether it’s riding in a horse-drawn carriage through Old Montreal, enjoying the entertainment venues along Crescent Street, or visiting the top of Mount Royal overlooking downtown, there’s something for everyone.

I could go on at length about the things to do and see in this second-largest city in Canada. Instead I’ll share passages from False Impressions that portray some of the numerous facets of Montreal as interpreted through the eyes of Megan Scott, my main character:

“Montréal. The French aspect, along with the vast choices of stores, restaurants, nightlife, international sports, and art events were only some of the reasons this welcoming City of Festivals drew millions of tourists every year. This year was no exception. The sidewalks stirred with camera-toting pedestrians as diverse in cultural backgrounds as the city’s growing cosmopolitan makeup. Attired in shorts to saris, they peered at the displays in store windows along Sainte-Catherine Street, the primary commercial artery of downtown Montreal.”

“The Christ Church Cathedral loomed ahead. Its imposing neo-Gothic architecture was a sharp contrast to the glass veneer of surrounding office towers. Built under this historic site was Les Promenades Cathédrale—a modern shopping center and the ideal place to escape from the muggy heat.”

“Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Laurent. The fact that the streets at this renowned intersection were named after two saints was deceptive, if not paradoxical, given that they crossed in the heart of the city’s red light district. Prostitution ranked as old a tradition in Montreal as eating a smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz’s, a steamy hot dog at the Montreal Pool Room, or poutine at LaFleur.”

“As a young child, I’d go shopping with my parents in the open-air Jean-Talon market near Little Italy where hundreds of fresh fruit and vegetable stands attracted throngs of buyers. We often stopped at one of the neighboring bakeries or cheese shops to purchase a special treat before heading back home.”

Nostalgia wasn’t the only reason that prompted me to use Montreal as the main setting in False Impressions. Its multicultural aspect, especially the predominant English and French factions, offered the perfect backdrop in which to set my scenes and have my characters interact. And interact they did!

No murder mystery is complete without the weather playing an active role in the setting. I chose summer because Montreal’s hot and humid climate mirrors the rising pressure my characters experience as the criminal investigation intensifies. Not to mention the extra heat that a touch of romance can generate!

Every location has unique characteristics. Even if we’ve never been there, we can fall in love with a place from just reading about it. Do you have a favorite setting and why?

Interviews on Other Blogs

Along the route to publishing, I've been fortunate to meet very talented writers. I'm grateful to these colleagues who took the time to interview me or host me on their blogs over the years. Here are some of them:

Carmen Amato, author of the Detective Emilia Cruz mystery series set in Acapulco, asks me about personal hopes and wishes on her blog.

In addition to being a gracious host, Elaine is a book reviewer and enjoys a variety of genres. She has reviewed Icy Silence, my third mystery novel in the Megan Scott/Michael Elliott Mystery series. Please visit Splashesintobooks where you’ll find my interview here and Elaine’s review of Icy Silence here.

Susan Russo Anderson is the author of the 19th-century Serafino Floria Mystery series. She hosts me on her blog where we discuss the je ne sais quoi of Montreal as the setting for my mystery novel, False Impressions.

Gail M. Baugniet, author of the Pepper Bibeau mystery series, asks me thought-provoking questions about my mystery novels on her blog. 

Writer Michael J. McCann pens the Donaghue and Stainer Crime Novel series. He invited me to write a guest post for his blog, The Overnight Bestseller. Find out what inspired me to give my characters continuity in the form of a mystery series.

Back by popular demand, my guest post “What Makes a Mystery?” was re-published on Joyce T. Strand’s blog, Strand’s Simply Tips. Joyce is the author of the Jillian Hillcrest Mysteries series and the Brynn Bancroft Mysteries series.

Writer Chris Henderson interviews me on her blog TheWriteChris – On Writing where we unravel the mystique behind mystery writing and more.

Touring the Old Port of Montreal

Photo: Skyline and Port of Montreal © Depositphotos.com/citylights

The main setting for my short story, “Timely Escape,” is the Old Port of Montreal. Records show the port was in operation as early as 1611, when French fur traders used it as a trading post. Today it’s a favorite harbor for pleasure boaters and a port of call enjoyed by ocean cruise ships.

Minutes from downtown Montreal, the quays of the Old Port sit on the banks of the St. Lawrence River and extend more than two kilometers along De la Commune Street. If you enjoy cycling, roller-blading, river rafting, or boat tours, the quays offer these activities and more.

At one end of the marina is the Clock Tower, a 148-foot structure built between 1919 and 1922 and dedicated to Canadian sailors who died in World War I. The clock mechanism is a replica of Big Ben in London, and climbing the 192 steps to the top will reward you with incredible views of Montreal and the St. Lawrence River.

Photo: Glimpse of Montreal © Depositphotos.com/citylights

Turquoise parasols dot a man-made beach at the base of the tower, but you’re not allowed to go swimming in the bordering river. Not that it matters. More than three acres of this sandy urban getaway along the Clock Tower Quay create the ultimate setting for relaxation. Imagine colored chairs, a wooden boardwalk, mist stations, a bar, and a spectacular view of the city skyline. Musical evenings offer extended entertainment where you can drink, dine, or simply watch the sun set.

In “Timely Escape,” ghostwriter Megan Scott takes a few moments to visit the Old Port where the marina is holding a boat party. She recalls how she once stood above on Jacques Cartier Bridge to watch the International Fireworks Competition with Michael Elliott, her crime reporter partner. As she’s about to leave, something catches her attention—something that stuns her beyond belief. Without warning, her next move plunges her into a perilous situation at death's door.

Will she survive the ordeal?

I wouldn’t want to spoil your fun. You’ll have to read the story to find out. “Timely Escape” is available at major online retailers listed here.