I am days away from a deadline, and in editing mode. Lots and lots going on with this process–a future blog post, I promise. But as I am printing pages, making notes, using the editing techniques I have learned over the years, I keep thinking about what my friend Ray Daniel said at his book launch for Terminated a few weeks ago. It was advice he got from Lee Child. Make the slow parts fast, and the fast parts slow.
Sounds simple, right? It isn’t, trust me on that. But it is really helpful to think about when pacing a mystery. Sketch a room for a reader, but don’t bog them down in details until you need them. When someone has a gun, slow it down. Make the reader think about every breath.
I am also checking myself in two other areas right now. First, am…
View original post 123 more words

